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CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
, HISTORY
—OF THE —
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
—OF THE —
CITY OF LANCASTER, PA.,
— FROM —
1807 to 1898.
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF EARLIER EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH
METHODISM IN LANCASTER.
— ALSO AN —
APPENDIX
CONTAINING A SKETCH OF 8T.PAUL’S M. E, CHURCH, BY THE
PASTOR, AND ‘‘CONESTOGA’S’’ NOTES ON THE
CONFERENCE OF 1855.
Ras
JOHN 8S. J. McCONNELL, D. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
THE NEW ERA PRINTING HOUSE.
1893,
ee,
Br
PY S/
LAmijye
His $6 3237
&
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TO THE
OLDEST SURVIVING PASTOR
OF THE
First Mrruopist EpiscopaL CHuRCH
OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER, PA.,
THE REV. JAMES NEILL,
PASTOR IN 1838-1840,
THIS COMPILATION IS MOST RESPECTFULLY
DEDICATED
BY HIS OBLIGED FRIEND AND
BROTHER IN THE MINISTRY,
Joun S. Janes McOonne.t,
PASTOR IN 1891-1893.
PREFACE.
In the preparation of this brief history the compiler
has endeavored to give permanent form to facts
which were in danger of being lost and to bring to
the light items of historic interest and value con-
tained in records and documents not readily accessible
to the members and friends of the church.
In addition to acknowledgments made in the body
of the book, thanks are hereby tendered to Walter
A. Haldy, Joseph H. Selvert and James Black for
favors extended and help afforded.
If what is here written shall result in giving in-
spiration and zeal to the members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Lancaster, so that they may
preserve their heritage and transmit the blessings of
a pure gospel to their children and their children’s
children, the writer will have his reward and to God
shall be all the praise.
JOHN 8. JANES McCONNELL.
LancastEr, Pa.,
February 1, 1893.
PART I
METHODIST PREACHING IN LANCASTER PRIOR TO
A. D. 1807.
Local historians; the latest history of Lancaster county;
sketch by the Rev. J. T. Satchell; the Rev. John Lednum’s
reference to Lancaster, Pennsylvania; two circuits named
Lancaster in 1794; Chester and Lancaster in 1795; Strasburg
circuit mentioned in 1796; the minutes of 1797; the Conference
for 1797; the Journal of the Rev. Wm. Colbert; Chester and
Strasburg circuit; extent of the circuit; preaching appoint-
ments; the first record of regular Methodist preaching in Lan-
caster; the first Methodist sermon in Lancaster said to have
been preached by the Rev. Henry Boehm; sketch by John B.
Good, Esq.; a brickbat for the preacher ; newspaper articles by
the Rev. G. W. Lybrand; Journal of the Rev. Joseph Pilmoor;
mention of the Rev. Joseph Pilmoor; the oldest record of
Methodist preaching in Lancaster; two beginnings for Method-
ism in Lancaster; Bishop Asbury’s reference to Lancaster: the
first sermon by a Methodist preacher in Lancaster attributed
to the Rev. Joseph Pilmoor; the old court house; the Rev.
William Colbert’s first sermon in Lancaster; Chester and Stras-
burg circuit in 1799; Lancaster abandoned by Methodist
preachers in 1798; appointments in 1807; the translation of the
Discipline of the M. E. Church into the German language; the
Rev. Henry Boehm and Doctor Romer the translators; Henry
and Benjamin Grimler the printers; the Rev. Henry Boehm’s
meeting with Philip Benedict and wife; the date of the meet-
ing; the formation of a class; the house of Philip Benedict.
HE historians of Lancaster county, prior to A.
D. 1883, whose works are now accessible, were
either so poorly informed in regard to the existence,
1*
6 Methodist Preaching in Lancaster
strength and influence of Methodism, or so pre-
judiced against it, that they gave it little more than
passing notice.
One of the largest and most comprehensive his-
tories of Lancaster county, a work regarded by
many citizens as exhaustive and reliable, devotes a
section containing thirty-one lines, in a royal octavo
volume of seven hundred and ninety-two pages to an
account of the Methodism of the county from its in-
troduction to A. D. 1869.
These thirty-one lines are divided into five para-
graphs. The first paragraph contains five sentences,
only one of which is even approximately true. The
other paragraphs have about an equal amount of
truth. So far as the history of the Methodists in
Lancaster county is concerned, the section might
have been entirely omitted.*
An earlier history contains the following:
“Tn 1781 Methodist ministers first visited this
county, and in 1782 the Lancaster circuit was
formed, and the Rev. William Partridge appointed
as minister. * * * In the city of Lancaster the
Rev. Jacob Gruber preached occasionally about the
year 1705 and 1706.” +
Two of the foregoing sentences are inaccurate.
Jacob Gruber was not born until 1778.
* An Authentic History of Lancaster County; by J. I. Mom-
bert, D. D., 1869, pp. 456, 457.
+History of Lancaster County by I. Daniel Rupp, 1842, pp.
461, 462.
Prior to A. D. 1807. 7
The latest history of Lancaster county, copyrighted
in 1891, a book intended for the school and home,
says: “The oldest Methodist Church in the county
is known as Boehm’s Chapel. It is situated one
mile from Willow Street. This was built in 1780,
and named after the Rev. Henry Boehm, who died as
late 1875 at the advanced age of one hundred years
and a few months. He was born in 1775.” *
This is all it records of the Methodism of Lan-
caster county. It is hardly conceivable that Boehm’s
Chapel was named after a mere child, five years of
age, if it was built in 1780. The centennial of the
existence of Boehm’s Chapel was being observed in
1891, when this history was passing through the
press, and the public papers had full accounts of its
origin and naming. The discrepancies can only be
attributed to careless authorship and equally care-
less editing.
In the History of Lancaster County edited by
Messrs. Ellis and Evans and published in 1883, there
is a sketch of the First, or, as it is popularly called,
the Duke Street, Methodist Episcopal Church, pre-
pared by the Rev. James T. Satchell at that time
pastor of the church. To Mr. Satchell the church:
and society at large are indebted for many interest--
ing items of history, but later investigation has re--
vealed some errors, especially in regard to dates, and!
added numerous facts of great importance and value..
*Brief History of Lancaster County, 1891, pp. 235, 236.
8 Methodist Preaching in Lancaster
The former are corrected, and the latter are embodied
in the following pages.
* * * * * % *
The Rey. John Lednum in his invaluable work
entitled “A History of the Rise of Methodism in
America,” referring to the new circuits named in
the minutes of the Conference for A. D. 1782, men-
tions Lancaster, in Pennsylvania. The minutes,
however, simply give the name of a circuit, and the
name of the preacher appointed to it, without nam-
ing the State, thus, “‘ Lancaster, William Partridge.”
Seventy members were reported in the Society.
This Lancaster did not appear in the list of cir-
cuits for 1783 and 1784, and was not mentioned
again until 1785. In 1790 the membership was re-
ported as embracing 713 white and 3800 colored
members. These figures could not apply to Lan-
caster, Pennsylvania. A careful examination of the
minutes of subsequent years furnishes satisfactory
evidence that the Lancaster mentioned in 1782 was
Lancaster, Virginia, near the mouth of the Rappa-
hannock River.
In the minutes for 1794 two circuits bearing the
name of Lancaster are mentioned, the new one hav-
ing 256 white and 4 colored members.
In the minutes of 1793 and 1794 may be found
circumstantial evidence justifying the inference that
for a very few years prior to 1794 Lancaster county
was within the bounds of Chester circuit.
Isaac Robinson and Elisha Pelham were the
Prior to A. D. 1807. 9
preachers appointed to Lancaster circuit in 1794,
while Valentine Cook was elder.
In 1795 Chester and Lancaster were united under
the double name, Chester having reported a decrease
of members during 1794, a decrease accounted for by
the formation of Lancaster circuit. John Jarrell,
Thomas F. Sargent and John Robinson were the
preachers. John Merrick was elder.
In 1796 Strasburg was mentioned as a circuit with
152 white and 150 colored members. This circuit
must have been formed out of Chester and Lancaster
circuit. Ephraim Chambers and James Stokes were
the preachers. Thomas Ware was elder.
The minutes of 1797 show that William Colbert
was appointed to Chester, and William P. Chandler
to Strasburg. Thomas Ware was Presiding Elder.
This was the first year the title “ Presiding Elder”
was used authoritatively. In 1789 the name was
used, but as it implied a distinction not then author-
ized its use was discontinued.
The Conference for 1797 had been appointed to be
held in Philadelphia, Pa., October 10, 1797. The
manuscript journal of the Rev. William Colbert,
now in the possession of his son, Mr. Charles Stroud
Colbert, of Easton, Pa., records, that, owing to the
prevalence of a very fatal fever in Philadelphia, the
Conference was held at Duck Creek, now Smyrna,
Delaware. The session began on Tuesday, October
10th, and ended on Sunday the 15th. Bishop Asbury
presided. The following is the account of the Con-
10 Methodist Preaching in Lancaster
ference session as copied by the present writer from
the Journal of William Colbert:
“Tuesday, 10th, our conference began. Several
were received. Richard Swain preached an animat-
ing discourse from 1 Chron. 16:29.
“Wednesday, 11th. Bishop Asbury preached
from Isaiah 1:24-28. Ezekiel Cooper and Richard
Swain exhorted. All the preachers present passed
their examination.
“Thursday, 12th. og Hicaies
O}a 2 m@D Fs o img from 1840-1892
na 9 8 thie eccat
Purchase. iB oe
P, Eberman’s Property.
* Signed Henry Boehm,
34 From 1810 to 18438.
From 1824 to 1828 Joseph Lybrand was Presid-
ing Elder. The name of the District was changed in
1825 from the Schuylkill to the Philadelphia Dis-
trict.
At the close of the Conference year, 1827, Samuel
Grace and George G. Cookman were able to report
1,043 white aud 29 colored members in Society,
within the bounds of Lancaster circuit; an increase
for the year of 93 white and 12 colored members.
It would be interesting to know the geographical
limits of the circuit and the number of preaching
places it contained, but we have no record of these
facts. Bristol was astrong and growing circuit on
the east, Dauphin was strong, but seemingly at a
stand still on the northwest. Chester was vigorous
and progressive on the east and south, while Stras-
burg on the southeast had lost a few members, prob-
ably by the organization of the West Chester circuit.
Meanwhile the society in Lancaster experienced
considerable difficulty. Mr. Good records that
“there were at that time people worshipping in a
small frame church on Chestnut street near Duke,
who were zealots for unbridled license in Church
government. “They stigmatized all discipline as an
unwarranted invasion of the personal liberty of the
children of God. They had a fluent speaker for
their pastor. When the Methodist preachers, in
their rounds on the circuit, labored hard in Lancas-
ter, and, under their preaching, sinners were
awakened and converted, these penitents were sure
From 1810 to 1848. 35
to fall into the hands of the ‘“ Liberty people” dur-
ing the unavoidably protracted absence of the circuit
preachers, and invariably these penitents became
enemies to the Methodist cause.”
On the 13th of January, 1828, Philip Benedict,
Zebulon Ayres, Jacob Gwinn, John Gallery and
Bonam Samson, a committee which had been ap-
pointed to prepare a petition to the Bishop, laid a
memorial, setting forth the above facts before the
Society,and it was unanimously adopted. The remedy
which was suggested in the memorial was the separa-
tion of Lancaster from the circuit and the stationing
of a young man, “who was zealous and willing to
labor for the good of souls.” A subscription was
opened, and the sum of $230.00 was pledged for the
support of such a man.
In due time the petition was presented to the
Bishop, and he granted the prayer of the petitioners.
Joseph McCool was sent to Lancaster, not “as
the first stationed preacher at that place,” as Mr.
Good wrote, for Thomas Ware was the first in
1811, a fact of which Mr. Good had no knowledge,
but as the first stationed preacher in an unbroken
line covering a period of sixty-five years and not
likely to be broken while the church remains.
The petitioners had rightly judged concerning
their difficulties and the remedy, and the Bishop,
carefully considering their statements and request,
confirmed their judgment in the appointment which
he announced.
36 From 1810 to 1848.
Joseph McCool was admitted on trial in the
Philadelphia Conference in 1827, and appointed
as junior preacher on Dauphin Circuit as the
colleague of Thomas Neale, so that he was still on
trial when appointed preacher in charge in Lan-
caster. At the end of the Conference year he re-
ported seventy-two members as belonging to the
society, was received into full membership in the
Conference, ordained to the office of Deacon, and ap-
pointed to Lancaster for a second year. He located
in 1833, and united with the Presbyterian Church in
the fellowship of which he died.
The members of the Quarterly Conference in 1828,
in addition to the preacher in charge, were Bonam
Samson, Recording Steward; Philip Benedict and
Zebulon Ayres, Stewards; Jacob Gwinn, Elijah
Sloan and Joseph Watson, Leaders. Elijah Sloan
died early in 1829, and the name of John M. Gallery
was added to the list of Leaders.
William Thatcher was Presiding Elder from 1828
to 1831, and Manning Force from 1831 to 1833. In
the latter year the name of the District was changed
to South Philadelphia.
Lawrence McCombs was Presiding Elder from
1833 to 1834; James Potts, from 1834 to 1887; and
Solomon Higgins, from 1837 to 1841.
At the Conference of 1841 Lancaster becamea part
of the Wilmington District, of which Henry White
was Presiding Elder, but in 1842 it was restored to
its old relation with the South Philadelphia District,
where it remained until 1869.
From 1810 to 1843. 37
James Smith, being Presiding Elder of the South
Philadelphia District from 1841 to 1845, succeeded
Henry White in his relations to Lancaster.
The pastors from 1829 to 1840 were as follows:
1830, Thomas Miller; 1831, John Nicholson; from
1832 to 1834, John Lednum; from 1834 to 1836,
Thomas Sovereign; from 1836 to 1838, James L.
Houston; and from 1838 to 1840, James Neill.
The Quarterly Conference Records indicate that
the visits of the Presiding Elders were very regular,
and the routine of that period in the church’s his-
tory was faithfully observed. But few questions
were asked, and what were asked were easily
awswered with either yes, or no.
In 1837, on the 16th day of February, at an ad-
journed session of the Quarterly Conference presided
over by Bartholomew Weed, at the written request
of the Presiding Elder, the official brethren expressed
their desire to have Lancaster remain a station, and
appointed a committee to procure an estimate of the
cost of a new house of worship. The committee con-
sisted of B. Samson, R. W. Burrows and G. B. Ker-
foot.
Nothing was reported by the committee during
the year, though it is very probable that efforts were
made to secure funds for the erection of a new build-
ing, for, early in the next year, during the first quar-
ter of the pastorate of James Neill, a resolution was
adopted requiring the treasurer “to deposit moneys
3
38 From 1810 to 1843.
collected for the erection of the new church in the
Lancaster Saving Institution.”
A resolution was also adopted “that Brother Neill
have a recommendation from this Quarterly Con-
ference to the friends at a distance to request their
aid to enable the Society in this place to build a
meeting house in this city.”
On the 13th of August, 1838, B. Samson, G. B.
Kerfoot, R. W. Burrows, D. P. Brown, P. Benedict,
Joseph Stallings, N. 8. Pinkerton, James Snow and
George Dellet were appointed a committee “ to select
and prichase a suitable lot for the erection of a new
meeting house, by the 12th of September, 1838.”
At the same time P. Benedict, B. Samson, G. B.
Kerfoot, R. W. Burrows, David P. Brown and N.
8. Pinkerton were appointed to estimate the cost of
a building and report at the next Quarterly Confer-
ence, October 22.
On the 14th of January, 1839, the Quarterly Con-
ference recommended the selling of burying lots in
the graveyard.
At the meeting of the trustees held in the same
month it was resolved to sell burial lots according
to the plan recommended by the Quarterly Confer-
ence, and for this purpose the entire plot of ground
owned by the church on Walnut street was divided
into forty large and forty small lots, with suitable
avenues laid out fron north to south, and a six-feet-
wide avenue on the south side from east to west and
a similar avenue on the north side. After many re-
From 1810 to 1843. 39
solves concerning the size of the lots and changing
the plans in various particulars, on the 6th of July,
1840, the trustees resolved “ That the burying ground
be called the Wesleyan Cemetery of the First M. E.
Church of the City of Lancaster.” This cemetery
was a great care and even trouble to the church, and
as a source of revenue was far from being what its
projectors expected. It was used for burial purposes
until 1851, when the bodies were transferred to the
Lancaster Cemetery.
On the 19th of June, 1839, ten months after their
appointment, the committee to select and purchase
a lot reported “that they had bought a lot for the
building of a meeting house.”
On the 16th of August the committee on estimate
presented a report to the effect that a new church
“with basement story and a gallery” could be built:
of good material “with plain, common, but goodi
work,” the sash, bricks, ete., of the old church being:
used, at a cost of $5640.00. The committee was dis-.
charged from the further consideration of the sub--
ject.
The records of the Quarterly Conference show a
condition of affairs in the church which must have
been exceedingly trying to the pastor, and the more:
spiritually minded members of the Society. Appeals
were heard by three of the four Quarterly Conferences.
of the year 1839 to 1840. In one of the cases heard
judgment was confirmed; in another the difficulty
was settled by the appointment and decision of ref-
40 From 1810 to 1848.
errees, at the suggestion of the pastor; and in the
third, judgment was reversed upon the recommenda-
tion of the pastor.
To James Neill, pastor from 1838 to 1840, still liv-
ing, though in feeble health, must be accorded the
honor of preparing the way for the erection of the
second church building owned by the Methodists in
Lancaster. Had his advice and counsel been fol-
lowed, the church would have been saved years of
struggle, and his successors would have been spared
much of the anxiety which they suffered. As it
was before the close of his pastorate, proper business
methods were introduced, and the necessary steps
taken to secure the incorporation of the Society into
a body politic.
The “ Act of Incorporation” was passed by the
Legislature of Pennsylvania and appoved by His
Excellency, David R. Porter, the Governor, on the
18th day of March, A. D. 1840.
At the Conference of 1840 Dallas D. Lore was ap-
pointed to the charge of Lancaster. He found a
division of sentiment among the people regarding
the location of the new church. A lot had been
purchased under authority from the Quarterly Con-
ference, but conveyance had not been made, being
delayed, probably until the Society should be incor-
porated. Meanwhile another lot was purchased, but
by what authority does not appear in the records.
The first mentioned lot was situated on East King
street above Lime, and was purchased at sheriff’s
>
From 1810 to 1848. 41
sale for $1,045.00, subject to a ground rent. This
was also purchased for the sum of $300.00. The
second lot was situated on Duke street, adjoining the
ten feet on that street already owned by the Society.
This was purchased “ for $800.00, for which a judg-
ment was given as there were no funds.” About
$800.00 were paid on account of the East King street
lot. The reeord says “the church was pressed in
holding two lots and owing $1,300.00 on them.”
The actual conveyance of the Duke street lot was
made on the 11th of June, 1840, by Peter Mulhollend
and Mary, his wife. The lot contained in front on
Duke street “sixty-four feet four inches and one-half
an inch, and in depth one hundred and twelve feet
six inches.”
The church already owned the property in the rear
of this lot for a distance of one hundred and thirty-
two feet, so that with the ten feet front on Duke
street the church became possessor of a lot seventy-
four feet four inches and a-half by two hundred and
forty-five feet, the rear part being forty-five feet
wider than the front.*
On the 6th of July, 1840, the trustees resolved
“that though our prospects be gloomy as to the
erection of a new church, yet, in the name of the
Lord, we now decide upon opening ground by dig-
ging for the basement.”
The trustees at that time were Philip Benedict,
*See Diagram, p. 33.
42 From 1810 to 1848.
Bonam Samson, George B. Kerfoot, Robert W. Bur-
rows, David Paul Brown, Nathaniel 8. Pinkerton,
Levi J. Rhoads, James B. Moore and Charles Hart-
ley.
On July 15th, 1840, the male members met “to
take into consideration the expediency of erecting a
new church and the proper location for the same.”
A resolution to build on the Duke street lot was
negatived by a vote of 5 to 7. A resolution to build
on East King street was adopted unanimously.
On October Ist, 1840, a special meeting of the
male members was held, at which the previous reso-
lution to build on East King street was reconsidered.
It was then moved to sell the East King street lot.
The vote resulted in a tie, upon which the record
says: “The females voted in favor of selling the lot
in East King street, and decided it in the affirma-
tive.’ *From this transaction it may be inferred
that there was no lack of gallantry on the part of
our Methodist fathers. How the females were al-
lowed to be present, or why they were permitted to
decide a question of such importance in view of the
provisions of the charter of the church, the records
do not say. That they voted right, no one familiar
with the history of Lancaster will deny. All honor
to them for the share they took in the decision of a
matter upon which: so much depended.
* Sketch by John B, Good, Esq.
From 1810 to 1848. 43
“The lot on East King street was sold at a slight
loss.” *
The work of “ digging for the basement” went on,
as did the building of the wall of “an house for the
Lord.” The latter, however, progressed but slowly,
owing to the difficulty of obtaining funds. In fact,
the trustees were embarrassed for lack of means to
carry forward the enterprise, and issued an appeal to
the Methodist Episcopal Churches of Philadelphia.
A copy of this appeal has recently beon discovered,
and is as follows:
To the Trustees of the Several Methodist Episcopal
Churches in the City of Philadelphia :
Breturen: The Board of Trustees of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in the City of Lancaster would
most respectfully represent their extreme need of a
more spacious and secure church in a more eligible
situation. The present house is entirely too small to
accommodate the many that would attend, and too
far out to attract the attention of hundreds, who if
they heard our doctrines would become attached,
and as members would elevate Methodism to the
rank it holds in your more favored city.
You nobly assist others, far more distant, and we
think it would be doing you injustice to suppose
you would not feel deeply and favorably interested
for poor benighted Lancaster.
We, therefore, pray that our mach esteemed
* Sketch by John B. Good, Esq.
44 From 1810 to 1848.
Brother, D. D. Lore, may be permitted, on one
prominent occasion to occupy your pulpit to take up
a collection, and receive such donations as may be
presented.
Ever praying for your prosperity, we remain yours
in Christ. Tue Boarp.
Through Gro. B. Krerroor, President.
Lancaster, Pa., January 29th, 1841.
What effect this appeal had upon the churches in
Philadelphia, or with what succcess the pastor met
in his efforts to secure funds for the church in Lan-
caster, it is impossible to say. If any record was
made of these matters it cannot be found.
The first election for trustees, held in accordance
with the requirements of the charter, was held on
the first Monday in March, 1841, and resulted in im-
portant changes in the Board of Trustees. Philip
Benedict, John Beam and George B. Kerfoot were
elected to serve for three years; Jacob Hinton, John
Deal and Israel A. Kurtz for two years, and Jacob
Hess, David P. Brown and Levi J. Rhoads for one
year.
Four of these were new men elected for the first
time to serve as trustees. John Beam had served
before, having been chosen by the Quarterly Con-
ference, but came again into office at the call of his
constituents. A change of five trustees in the midst
of a difficult enterprise would at any time be attended
with some risk, but no serious results followed this
popular church election.
From 1810 to 1843. 45
June 19, 1841, is the date at which the Quarterly
Conference held its last session in the old church on
Walnut street. It was the first Quarterly Conference
for the year, but only three members besides the
pastor, D. D. Lore, and the Presiding Elder, Henry
White, were present. Two of them were Stewards,
David P. Brown and Levi J. Rhoads, and the other
wasa class leader, Israel A. Kurtz. Theusual questions
were asked and answered, but no special interest was
aroused by either questions or answers.
The second Quarterly Conference for this year was
held September 20, 1841, at the residence of Sister
White. The record does not say why it was held
there, and the memory of those who remain with us
as living links connecting the present with the past
cannot be confidently relied upon. The probabilities
are that the work of demolishing the old church was
begun about this time, and preacher and people were
compelled to itinerate.
The third Quarterly Conference was held, December
13, 1841, at Brother Benedict’s. The record has the
following entry: ‘On motion of Brother White a
committee was appointed to procure the Presbyterian
session room to hold worship in.” The only Brother
White who was present in the Quarterly Conference
was the Presiding Elder, Henry White, and it is not
probable that he made the motion attributed to him,
though he doubtless suggested the appointment of a
committee. David P. Brown and George B. Ker-
foot were named as the committee.
46 From 1810 to 1843.
The last Quarterly Conference for the year was
held February 7th, 1842, at the house of Brother
Deal. “The committee, D. P. Brown and G. B.
Kerfoot appointed to ask for the Presbyterian session
[room] for preaching, report that it could not be
obtained.” This is the simple record made by the
pastor, D. D. Lore, who acted as secretary. The
reader mast not suppose that in the interval of these
quarterly conferences the society was without a
shelter, or aplace in which to assemble. The class
meetings were held regularly. The home of Philip
Benedict was one of the places of meeting, and the
home of Bonam Samson was another.
Mrs. Maria Louisa White, who united with the
society in 1839, during the pastorate of James Neill,
was the wife of Samuel White, book-binder and inn-
keeper, who, through her influence after her conver-
sion, was induced to abandon the business of inn-
keeping. Her home was on the south side of Orange
street, at the corner of Jefferson. It was a large
stone house which had stood for nearly, if not quite,
a hundred years before its occupancy by the parents
of Mrs. White, in 1809. It had been built ard ar-
ranged for the purposes of an inn, and had on
the second floor a very large room that could be
used as a bedroom, or banquet room, as necessity
or oceasion might require. There is a tradition
in the family of Mrs. White that General George
Washington occupied this room during one of his
visits to Lancaster. It is a well authenticated
From 1810 to 1843. 47
fact that in this room dinners were served on the 8th
of January, year after year, for many years to those
patriotic citizens who assembled to commemorate the
Battle of New Orleans and do honor to Andrew
Jackson, the hero of that “well fought day.”
This room of historic interest and association was
offered by Mrs. White as a place for the prayer
meetings and the regular Sunday services of the
Methodist people. Her offer was accepted, and for
months, until the new church was sufficiently com-
pleted to allow service to be held in it, the society
had its home in her “upper room,” and she acted as
sexton, besides going about from place to place with
Mrs. Benedict soliciting funds to aid in paying for
the new building.
The new church was ready for the roof in October,
1841, but further progress was very slow, and no part
of the building was ready for oceupancy before the
latter part of the summer of 1842.
Meanwhile the pastoral term of Dallas D. Lore
expired and Samuel H. Higgins was appointed to
succeed him in 1842. He did not enter upon his
work with high hope, for the circumstances of the
church were not calculated to inspire. The old
church had been demolished contrary to the counsel
and advice of the pastor; that pastor had labored
earnestly by night and by day to carry forward the
enterprise in which the church was engaged. He
had gone from place soliciting aid, and had met with
so many discouragements that the expiration of his
48 From 1810 to 1843.
term was a happy release from burdensome responsi-
bility.
Samuel H. Higgins was a man of excellent ability,
and the trustees regarded his appointment to Lan-
caster “as a powerful auxiliary in advancing the
interests of the church in this place,” and promised
to “make every effort to sustain him during his
ministry in this city.” It is almost needless to say
he devoted himself with energy and zeal to the work
before him.
The first Quarterly Conference for 1842 was held
June 2d, at the home of Sister White.
On August 29th, 1842, the second Quarterly Con-
ference was held “in the preacher’s room ;” that is
probably where the preacher boarded or had his
study.
At a meeting of the trustees held August 21st,
1842, Brother Higgins was “requested to purchase
at Philadelphia one-half dozen baskets to lift the
collection with.” At the same meeting the trustees
having previously decided to rent the pews in the
new church, “the second pew on the right hand of
the pulpit was presented to Father Benedict as a
token of respect.” “The remaining seven pews on
the right and left side of the pulpit, together with
the four front pews, were reserved as free of rent.”
“The Sabbath School was granted the privilege of
constructing the seats in the basement story to suit
their own convenience, they paying all expenses for
the same, and having the right to sell the old
benches of the church.”
From 1810 to 1848. 49
On August 26th report was made that “ thirty-
one persons could be accomodated by the society be-
ing in'attendance on the day of dedication.” ‘The
officers of the Board were appointed a committee to
ascertain the cost of the church.” This was on
Friday. The trustees resolved to meet the next
morning at 8 o’clock. There is no record of their
meeting at that time.
It isa matter of great regret that no record of the
time or circumstances of the completion and dedica-
tion of the new church has been preserved. Careful
inquiry and research, together with comparisons of
the recollections of many people, led John B. Good to
write: “ The dedication finally took place on or about
the first day of September, 1842. The ceremonies
were ofan imposing character. Rev. Doctor Durbin,
assisted by a number of other ministers, officiated.” *
Tt is not probable that the new church was dedi-
cated on one of the secular days of the week, for such
an arrangement would have prevented the attend-
ance of many people, and, as September 4th, 1842,
was on Sunday, the present writer is inclined to ac-
cept that as the date of the dedication.
Meetings of the trustees were held on September
5th and 9th, but no reference is made in the minutes
of those meetings to the dedicatory services. The
time was occupied in considering the financial situa-
tion and rescinding resolutions relating to free pews,
*Sketch by J. B. Good, Esq.
50 From 1810 to 1848.
and the adoption of other resolutions which limited
the free pews to those in the gallery of the church.
On the 15th of September a committee was ap-
pointed “to have the basement floor laid with boards
as soon as possible.” On the 7th of October it was
“resolved to have the two class rooms, on the base-
ment floor, floored with boards similar to the lecture
room.”
On the 16th of November “a bill was presented
from the secretary of Trinity Church, Philadelphia,
for settees amounting to $109. On motion the bill
was accepted and entered on the minutes.”
In December, 1842, it was “resolved that $4000.00
of the church debt be disposed of in the form of
stock, at $10.00 per share, to command an interest
of 6 percent. perannum.” This attempt to fund the
debt was not successful.
The remainder of the Conference year passed with-
out anything of special interest occuring, and, at the
session of the annual conference in 1843, Samuel H.
Higgins was relieved of the charge of the First M.
E. Church of Lancaster, and appointed to Trinity
Church, Philadelphia.
PART IV.
From 1848 To THE CLOSE OF 1862.
Pastor in 1848 and 1844; the indebtedness ascertained ; Pre-
siding Elders from 1845 to 1869; pastors in 1845; Newton Hes-
ton’s efforts to secure aid for the church; pastors in 1846;
Andrew Manships’s efforts to secure aid; an incident ; James
Black, treasurer ; trying times ; pastor in 1847 and 1848 ; claim
of Trinity M. E. Church, Philadelphia ; efforts to relieve the
financial embarrassment ; lot purchased on German street ;
building erected for the Sunday School in the southern part of
the city ; pastor in 1849 and 1850 ; the German street building
dedicated ; movement to have preaching and other services in
the German street building ; quartly conference action ; a new
society organized ; two preachers sent to Lancaster in 1851 ;
statistics at the close of the year; mode of electing trustees ;
a new charter obtained ; more ground needed for the cemetery ;
time to pay off debt believed to be at hand; effort made in
1853; improvements to the property; sale of old cemetery
grounds in 1854; parsonage lot reserved ; large missionary of-
fering ; conference held in Lancaster in 1855; pastor in 1855
and 1856; parsonage completed ; debt reduced ; pastor in 1857
and 1858 ; mite society organized ; debt increased ; a fair held
by the ladies ; membership reduced ; a gracious revival ; pastor
in 1859 and 1860 ; debt reduced ; a large missionary collection ;
finances still demand a large share of thought; attempt to re-
establish the pew system ; another fair held ; pastor in 1861 and
1862 ; finances improved ; two good years; collection for the
Sunday Schools authorized.
A 'T the Conference of 1843 Robert Gerry was ap-
pointed to Lancaster. While he had a proper
building in which to hold services, and was in that
(51 )
52 From 1848 to the close of 1862.
respect better cireumstanced than his predecessor,
the conditions by which he was confronted were by
no means cheering.
According to a report made by a special commit-
tee to the Board of Trustees on June 7th, 1848, a
committee appointed before the dedication of the
church, the cost of the new building was shown to
be $10,068.66. Of this amount only $2,815.26 had
been paid, thus leaving an indebtedness of $7,248.40.
Of this indebtedness only $1,000 was funded and
that was ina mortgage given to Philip Benedict.
But few of the members were willing to take the
risks involved, and the financial situation became
exceedingly embarrassing, affecting all the interests
of the church, so that the name of the charge was
changed to Lancaster Mission in 1844. Robert
Gerry was reappointed for the second year.
In the spring of 1845 Levi Scott was appointed
Presiding Elder, and continued in that office until
the spring of 1848, when he was appointed one of
the agents of the Book Concern in New York. In
1852 he was elected to the office of Bishop. During
his Presiding Eldership he manifested special con-
cern for the church in Lancaster, and in meeting
with the trustees and the members of the Quarterly
Conference gave advice and counsel in regard to the
temporal interests of the society.
The Presiding Elders succeeding him to 1869 were
as follows: I. T. Cooper, from 1848 to 1851; T. J.
Thompson, from 1851 to 1855; William Cooper from
From 1843 to the close of 1862. 53
1855 to 1859; Francis Hodgson, from 1859 to 1868 ;
Joseph Castle, from 1868 to 1867, and W. L. Gray,
from 1867 to 1869. In the sping of 1869 the districts
of the Conference were rearranged and Lancaster
became a part of Harrisburg District.
In 1845 William A. Wiggins and Newton Heston
were appointed to Lancaster.
On the 31st of March in that year the trustees had
resolved to represent the condition of the church to
the Bishop presiding at Conference, and suggest “ in
view of the smallness of numbers, the poverty and
pecuniary embarrassment, that immediate action on
the part of the Conference be taken for relief.”
It was in harmony with this desire for relief,
doubtless, that Newton Heston was appointed, and
yet, despite his efforts and those of the preacher-in-
charge, the church was threatened with sale by the
sheriff. On the 12th of February, 1846, “ Brother
Wiggins was authorized to visit Columbia,” where
the urgent creditor lived, “and have the sale of the
church prevented.”
On the 28th of February, 1846, Newton Heston
gave the trustees a full account of his work for the
year. For neatness of penmanship, fulness, careful-
ness of detail, whether of receipts or expenditures, his
report was a model, and the trustees did well to place
it where it might be preserved to the present day.
The report shows that the necessities of the church
in Lancaster were presented to the Methodist people
of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington,
4
54 From 1843 to the close of 1862.
Easton, Pa., Allentown, Manayunk, Germantown,
Deal’s Island Camp Meeting and at other places.
The total receipts for the year’s arduous labor were
only $536.95. Out of this amount $95.45 were paid
for expenses and $100.00 for salary, leaving a net
amount of $341.50 to be applied on account of the
church debt.
The church, by adopting the pew system, had
placed itself in a position not favored by the Metho-
dists of that day. Newton Heston, in assigning
reasons for comparative failure, wrote :
1. “The debt is so large and heavy as almost to pre-
clude the possibility of rescuing the property.
2. It is a pewed house, and this with the great
body of Methodists is enough to condemn it without
a hearing.
3. The fact that nothing has been done in Phila-
delphia, leading to the supposition that it is deemed
of little importance at home.
4, Owing to the fact that there is wealth enough
in the church to save it.
5. Because of the difficulties thrown in any way,
principally by my brethren in the ministry of another
Conference.””*
At the Conference of 1846 William A. Wiggins
was reappointed to Lancaster, and Andrew Manship
succeeded Newton Heston as assistant or junior
*The report shows that this was New York, and the diffi-
culties mentioned were based upon the fact that the ‘‘ church
was pewed.”’
From 1843 to the close of 1862. 55
preacher, to render similar service. Individuals
were importuned, appeals were made to churches and
camp meetings were visited in the interest of the
church at Lancaster. The results were not more en-
couraging than those of the preceding year. Sheriff’s
writs were in the visions and dreams of the trustees
by night and by day.
Within the past year Andrew Manship minted to
the present writer the following incident :
“ Ata camp-meeting held near Coventryville, Penn-
sylvania, I preached and presented my appeal in be-
half of the church at Lancaster, stating, among other
things, that our people feared the Romanists would
get the property. An intense religious feeling per-
vaded the congregation at the close of the preaching,.
which, strange to relate, was not cooled by an appeal:
for money. An elderly sister enthusiastically re--
sponded, ‘I’ve got ten cents. Glory to God. The
Catholics shall not have the church.’ She handed
me the dime, and her manner of doing so provoked
smiles from many of the people. Ten cents, thought
I, to save the church! But it was, like ‘ the widow’s
mite,’ all she had, and I accepted it gratefully. A
gentleman seated near her was much amused by her
innocent expression, but, taking five dollars from his
pocket, asked that it might be placed with the gift
of the simple-hearted sister. Others followed his
example, and the result was a good collection.”
On the 17th of June, 1846, Philip Benedict re-
signed his office as trustee, and James Black was.
56 From 1843 to the close of 1862.
elected to fill the vacancy thus created. On the 26th
of November, in the same year, he was elected treas-
urer of the Board of Trustees, a position which he
held until the spring of 1850.* This was one of the
trying periods of the church’s history. Preachers
and people were greatly perplexed. The financial
burdens were almost intolerable. The records show
that James Black adhered most strictly to pure busi-
ness methods, was systematic in his plans and thor-
ough in all that he did, and to him is largely due
the fact that chaos disappeared before order, con-
fusion gave place to quietness and harmony, and the
church was saved to Methodism.
James Black united with the church in Lancaster
in 1848, having joined by certificate from Lewis-
burg, Union county, Pa., during the pastorate of
Robert Gerry.
As the pastoral term of William A. Wiggins.was
about to expire he placed in the care of the trustees
papers which had come into his possession and re-
lated to claims against the property; and on April
13, 1847, on motion of James Black,a committee
was appointed to take charge of the papers and as-
certain the amount of the claims against the church,
deduct the abatements and report as soon as possible.
James Black, N.S. Pinkerton and Joseph Samson
were appointed the committee.
*He served a number of terms after this, but the times were
not so perilous.
From 1843 to the close of 1862. 57
Ten days after their appointment they presented
a full report to the Board of Trustees, assembled in
special meeting, the Presiding Elder, Levi Scott, be-
ing present and opening the meeting with prayer.
The total indebtedness of the church was found to
be $7,838.51.
In the spring of 1847 William Urie was appointed
to Lancaster.
The claim of the Trinity Church, Philadelphia,
for settees, as elsewhere mentioned, had increased to
$135.79, but the trustees of Trinity relinquished
their claim out of sympathy with their brethren
and from a desire to afford them some relief. This
act of kindness was fully appreciated and duly
acknowledged.
By the 1st of March, 1848, the treasurer reported
the liquidation of claims to the amount of $3,059.22.
William Urie was reappointed to Lancaster in the
spring of 1848.
During the year special efforts were made to raise
funds for the relief of the church. These efforts
culminated in a public collection on the 19th day of
November. The amount received on that day is not
noted in the minutes, but a committee was appointed
to attend to the distribution of the funds in hand.
James Black was chairman of the committee.
On the 29th of November “James Black presented
to the Board of Trustees a bond with good security,
in the sum of five hundred dollars, conditioned for
his good and faithful discharge of the duties pertain-
58 From 1843 to the close of 1862.
ing to his office. This not being required from
Brother Black, its reception was at first objected to
by several members of the Board of Trustees; but,
after hearing the reasons from the treasurer, the
principal one of which was to keep the mouths of
evil-disposed persons silenced, as a considerable
amount of money passed through his hands, the
Board received his bond.”
At a special meeting of the trustees held February
16, 1849, at the request of the pastor, William Urie,
the difficulties under which the school held in the
southern section of the city labored were presented
and carefully considered. The pastor stated that he
had “ received subscriptions to the amount of $422.00
to be applied to the erection of a house for Sabbath
School and other religious purposes. Healso had the
offer of a piece of ground from Brother John Beam,
fronting on German street, for the sum of $240.00.”
A committee was immediately appointed to ex-
amine the lot, and, if they “deem proper, purchase
the same, receive the deed and take such other steps
as they may think right and proper.”
On the 19th of February, 1849, the committee re-
ported having purchased the lot. The trustees ap-
pointed a building committee “to build, or have
built by contract or otherwise, a brick house 284
feet by 46 feet on the lot recently purchased from
Brother Beam,” and authorized them to draw on the
treasurer, “provided they do not draw any money
not collected for this specific purpose.”
From 1848 to the close of 1862. 59
The lot purchased was on German street, above
Queen street. It was 30 feet front by 64 feet deep.
This lot, with the house erected thereon, was held
by the First M. E. Church until the 17th of March,
1855, when it was conveyed to certain persons repre-
senting the Second M. EH. Church, but the deed
proved to be defective and unsatisfactory to the
parties to whom the Second Church was about to
sell the property some months later, and a new deed
was executed by the trustees of the First M. E.
Church in accordance with action taken on the 14th
of May, 1855.
At the end of the year, March, 1849, the treasurer
reported a reduction of the debt by the payment of
$479.26. The indebtedness was represented as
amounting to $4,096.00, exclusive of interest. In-
terest during the year had been paid out of money
received for pew rents, and the hope was expressed
that this source of revenue would still be sufficient
to prevent the accumulation of interest.
At the close of the Conference session of 1849
James A. Massey was appointed to Lancaster. For
some reason not recorded, a change was made shortly
after Conference, and James McCarter, junior
preacher on Millington circuit, Delaware, was sent as
preacher-in-charge to Lancaster. He served the
church acceptably uutil the spring of 1851.
The building on German street being completed,
was dedicated on Saturday afternoon, August 25,
1849; Doctor Jesse T. Peck, President of Dickinson
60 From 1848 to the close of 1862.
College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, preaching on the oc-
casion. Doctor Peck either drove from Carlisle to
Lancaster or rode on horseback, for the minutes show
that the trustees paid “John Michael $4.12} for
keeping and shoeing Doctor Peck’s horse.”
On September 7, 1849, the Second Quarterly Con-
ference for the year requested the Presiding Elder to
procure the transfer of W. W. McMichael from
Bristol to the First M. E. Church, Lancaster, for the
balance of the conference year.
Twelve days thereafter the trustees authorized and
empowered James McCarter and W. W. McMichael
“to collect monies and take subscriptions, the amount
to be applied for the purchase of a house to be used
as a parsonage of the First M. E. Church of the city
of Lancaster.”
At the Quarterly Conference held December 20th,
1850, “on motion of James Black, it was resolved
that a committee of seven be appointed to inquire
into the expediency of establishing Gospel services
in the southern part of the city by the M. E. Church,
and report their views at the next Quarterly Confer-
ence.” .
The committee consisted of Benjamin F. Shenk,
James Black, James Geidner, Lewis Paulick, Wil-
liam Murray, John Beam and Henry Stoek.
At the Quarterly Conference held March 8th, 1851,
the committee reported by James Black, their chair-
man, that regular services should be held in the
southern part of the city; that there should be a
From 1843 to the close of 1862. 61
separate pastor and separate organization, and that
the trustees of the First M. E. Church should convey
the chapel to other trustees to be held in trust for
the M. E. Church.*
The Bishop presiding at the session of the annual
conference in 1851, Bishop Waugh, and the Presid-
ing Elders must have thought the time fully arrived
for a second church in Lancaster, for the conference
minutes show that Pennell Coombe was appointed
to Laneaster’s first church, and Jacob Dickerson to
Lancaster’s second church. At the end of the year
the second church reported 48 members and 17 pro-
bationers, together with 213 Sunday-school scholars
cared for by 22 officers and teachers.
% * * * * * *
The mode of electing trustees by the vote of the
male members of the church had given rise to several
contests within a few years, engendering a vast
amount of unpleasant feeling. To remedy this state
of things a new charter was procured from the Legis-
lature on the 23rd of February, 1852. This charter
provided for elections by the trustees on the nomina-
tion of the pastor. While no serious trouble has
been caused during the forty years of the observance
of this method, there have been and still are many
members of the church who regard it as very un-
*This chapel was occupied by what was then called the
Second Wesleyan M. E. Sunday-school, the forerunner of St.
Paul’s M. E. Sunday-school.
See sketch of Sunday-school in this book,
62 From 1848 to the close of 1862.
American, and they would like to see a plan adopted
which would give them a more potent voice in the
selection of their officers and the general manage-
ment of the business of the church. Pennell Coombe
was reappointed pastor of the First M. E. Church,
Lancaster, in 1852. During that year the use of oil
‘lamps for illuminating the church was abandoned
and gas introduced at an expense of $228. An effort
was made to generally improve the church property,
but, notwithstanding the recognized necessity for
paint, the fact that the treasurer had been compelled
to borrow funds to meet the demands upon him pre-
venting even painting. On March 11th, 1853, the
indebtedness reported, exclusive of claims for inter-
est, was $4,292.15. During the year there was a net
gain of thirty members.
At the meeting of the trustees held March 11, 1853,
James Black called attention to the necessity of pro-
curing additional grounds for the purpose of a ceme-
tery, and also expressed the belief that the time had
come to make a special effort to extinguish the debt
upon the church. The general prosperity of the com-
munity and the increase of spirituality in the church
were the reasons at the base of his judgment. The
record represents him as saying: “ We have already
very nearly paid the amount of principal in interest,
The Good Being has shown that He is over us for
good in an especial manner, and there is resting upon
us an obligation that this Zion shall no longer re-
main under reproach. What shall be done? Metho-
dists can if they only dare.”
From 1848 to the close of 1862. 63
These earnest words were spoken near the close of
the Conference year, and their effect was beneficial
to the church. At the close of the session of the
Conference of 1853 William Bishop was appointed
to the First Church, Lancaster, and continued in the
relation of pastor until the spring of 1855.
He entered upon his work with earnestness and
zeal, comprehending the needs of the society at
- the very beginning of his pastorate. Before the end
of May vigorous measures were adopted to reduce
the indebtedness and improve the church property.
The trustees formed themselves into committees of
two, the pastor and two laymen were constituted a
special committee, and ten of the sisters of the church
were selected to act in a like capacity, and all were
to solicit and procure subscriptions in aid of the
work to be done.
By the 27th of June, 18538, reports were received
indicating that three thousand five hundred dollars
were pledged, and upon being informed of this state
of financial affairs the male members gave full au-
thority to the trustees to proceed with the alterations
and improvements according to their best judgment.
The trustees appointed Benjamin F. Shenk, James
Black and Adam Wolf a committee to supervise
the work. When the work was done the committee
paid a high compliment to Doctor John Waylan for
the fidelity, taste and public spirit which he had
shown in the execution of his contract with the
trustees. =
64 From 1843 to the close of 1862.
This Doctor Waylan was a surgeon dentist of
Lancaster who felt a deep interest in the welfare of
the church, and, proposing to have the work of altera-
tion and improvement done at a price deemed satis-
factory by the trustees, the contract was awarded to
him. The proceeding was an unusual one, but fully
justified by the careful manner in which the work
was done.
The remodelled building was opened for religions
services on Sunday, November 27, 1853. The pastor
and ministers assisting him in the services were form-
ally requested to assist the trustees in securing $1,200
on that occasion. A report presented some months
later shows that the amount obtained was $829.00.
On Friday evening preceding the reopening, the
question of renting pews was considered by the
trustees, and it was resolved “that in the opinion of
the Board of Trustees it is inexpedient to continue
the renting of pews after the reopening on Sunday
next, or granting any preference in seating.” John
Amer, James Black and Henry Stoek were the men
who guided and influenced this action of the trustees.
On the 5th of May, 1854, the male members auth-
orized the trustees to accept an offer made by John
Metzger for the purchase of the property on Walnut
street, ‘excepting 22 feet 6 inches in width on said
street whereon to erect a parsonage house,” for the
sum of $2,200.00, payable in material to be used in
the erection of a parsonage, etc. Soon thereafter the
trustees entered into a contract with Messrs. Swartz-
From 1843 to the close of 1862. 65
welder and Morrow for the erection of a parsonage
for the sum of $2,550.00, and appointed James Black,
Benjamin F. Shenk and Adam Wolf to superintend
the work.
During the first year of the pastorate of William
Bishop the church failed to make an offering for the
cause of missions. Home interests had pressed
heavily upon the means of the people, and effort was
concentrated on their care, but in the second year
the collection for missions amounted to $223.87, a sum
never reached before in any two years of the church’s
history, and not exceeded in any one year until the
first year of the pastorate of William H. Elliott,
when the collection amounted to $350.00.
In the spring of 1855 the session of the Philadel-
phia Conference was held in Lancaster, beginning on
the 25th of March. Bishop Beverly Waugh pre-
sided, assisted by Bishops Levi Scott and Edmund 8.
Janes. Pennell Coombe was the secretary, and
Adam Wallace and G. W. Lybrand were appointed
assistant secretaries. The membership in Lancaster
at this time was 295, with 106 probationers, the
First Church having 200 members and 36 probation-
ers, and the Second Church 95 members and 70 pro-
bationers.
The session was full of interest to the Methodists
in the vicinity, and the exercises, sermons and ad-
dress made a very favorable impression on the entire
community.*
* Foran appreciative sketch of this Conference, see Appendix.
66 From 1843 to the close of 1862.
At the close of this Conference David W. Bartine
was appointed to the First Church, Lancaster. He
was reappointed in 1856.
The new parsonage was so far completed as to be
tenantable before the close of April, 1855, but the
gas fixtures were not in place until some months
later. The cost of the building and the improve-
ments which were made to the lot, including the
planting of a number of fruit trees, was $2,906.363,
of which sum $2,250 were paid to the contractors
before the close of December, 1855.
The labors of the pastor were crowned with a good
degree of success. At the close of his first year he
reported 225 member and 120 probationers, and a
missionary offering of $144.18. At the end of the
secoud year he reported 295 members, 11 proba-
tioners and a missionary collection of $140.25. The
value of church property was $17,000, on which the
indebtedness, as reported by the trustees in Decem-
ber, 1856, was $3,669.47.
Francis Hodgson served as pastor in 1857 and
1858.
In 1857 a Mite Society was organized in the church
for the express purpose of raising funds to pay the
annual interest on the debt. This Society did most
excellent work for many years, securing an average
contribution of 3114.98 for seven years, but never
quite obtaining an amount equal to the interest, for
the average deficit for the seven years was $69.17.
The annual exhibit made by the trustees in 1858
From 1848 to the close of 1862. 67
showed an indebtedness of $3,930.62, an increase of
nearly $300.00 in two years. In the month of De-
cember, 1858, a fair was held by the ladies of the
church, which netted the sum of $930.54, which was
presented by Eliza Kerfoot and Harriet Gaelbaugh,
on behalf of the ladies to the Board of Trustees, who
were exceedingly glad to receive the same and apply
it in accordance with the recommendation of the
ladies.
For reasons, of which there is no record, the mem-
bership was reduced to 262 at the close of 1858, but
a gracious revival spirit resulted in the conversion
of a number of persons, so that 51 probationers were
reported at the Conference of 1859, and the missionary
collection amounted to $145.41.
William H. Elliott was pastor of the First Church
in 1859 and 1860.
In his first year the missionary collection was the
largest in the history of the church up to that time,
amounting to $3850.00, and not equalled until the
year 1865.
At the close of the year 1859 the indebtedness re-
ported was $3,099.47. There were subscriptions out-
standing, some of them from 1853, amounting to
$569.00.
The finances of the church still occupied a good
share of the thoughts of the trustees. The leaders
and stewards sympathized with them. Sunday, June
10, 1860, the subject of the relief of the financial em-
barrassment was brought to the attention of the mem-
68 From 1843 to the close of 1862.
bers in congregation assembled. The plan of assess-
ments, or a return to the system of renting pews,
seemed to be the only way of deliverance, but the
people were not prepared for either, so an adjourn-
ment took place. A meeting was held during the
week following, at which it was determined that each
leader should ascertain from the members under his
care the amount each member was willing to con-
tribute towards the expenses of the church. An
effort was made to put this plan on trial for six
months, and in the event of its failure return to the
system of pew rents, but the effort did not succeed.
Another fair was held towards the close of 1860,
which netted $400.47. This was presented to the
trustees by the ladies, and courteous recognition of
their “ kindness and generosity”? was made and re-
corded. The missionary offering this year was
reported at 560.00.
James E. Meredith succeeded William H. Elliott
in 1861, remaiuing in charge as pastor until the
spring of 1863.
When the annual report of the trustees was pre-
pared in December, 1862, the indebtedness was found
to be $2,645.45. There was a small balance in the
treasury of the Mite Society and in the treasury of
what was known as the Penny Fund, a fund made
up of the collections taken at the public services.
The regular treasury of the current fund of the
church was slightly overdrawn.
Fifty-eight probationers were reported by James
From 1848 to the close of 1862. 69
E. Meredith at the end of his first year, and thirty-
six at the end of his second. The missionary collec-
lection amounted to $146.50 in 1861 and $166.93 in
1862.
Near the close of the Conference year 1861 the
trustees granted permission for a collection to be
taken for the benefit of the Hast and the West Sun-
day-school, the pastor and superintendents to deter-
mine the time when it should be taken.
PARI ¥;
From 1863 To 1883,
G. D. Carrow appointed pastor in 1863 ; again in 1864; im-
proved circumstances ; earnest efforts made to annihilate the
debt ; public subscription ; thanks to G. D. Carrow and lady ;
trustees effect temporary loan and pay claims against the
church pending collection of subscriptions ; the church re-
garded as free from debt for the first time in twenty-five years;
C. I. Thompson pastor from 1865 to 1868; sympathy with
plans of G. D. Carrow; follows them; the church actually free
from debt in 1865 ; good reports ; missionary offerings largest
in history of church to that time ; centennial of Methodism ob-
served ; scholarship in Dickinson College purchased ; Young
Men’s Christian Brotherhood organized ; property on Char_
lotte street purchased ; visit of Father Boehm ; Henry F. Hurn
appointed pastor ; died in July, 1868 ; Edward J. Gray secured
as a supply ; pipe organ placed in the church ; rearrangement
of districts ; pastor in 1869 and 1870; lot on East King street
purchased ; attempt to buy lot southwest corner of Duke and
Walnut street ; Joseph E. Smith’s pastorate ; need of a new
church ; plans considered ; lot bought ; project abandoned ;
corner stone of East King Street M. E. Church laid; change
in Conference Boundaries ; rearrangement of districts ; Presid-
ing Elders from 1873 to 1881; live in Lancaster ; pastor from
1874 to 1877; church remodelled ; services in the Court House ;
property mortgaged ; lot sold at a loss; effort to have services
at the mission ; condition of the church ; pastor in 1877-1878;
assistant pastor; Sunday-school received special attention ;
pastor unexpectedly removed ; pastor in 1879-1880 ; reeommen-
dations to Annual Conference; H. G. Appenzeller; name of
district changed ; Presiding Elders from 1881 to 1890; pastors
(70)
From 1868 to 1888. 71
in 1881 and 1882; class meetings not well attended ; revival in-
terest ; movement to change charter; session of the Annual
Conference held in Lancaster 1883,
ie 1863, and again in 1864, Goldsmith D. Carrow
was appointed to the First Church, Lancaster.
Taking advantage of the improved circumstances
of many of the people and the changes which had
been introduced in the financial methods of the
church within the previous few years, the pastor
and trustees gave earnest effort to accomplish the
annihilation of the debt, and before the close of the
year 1865 they were enabled to rejoice over the
“ consummation so devoutly wished.”
On the 8rd of February, 1865, a public effort was
made as supplemental to solicitations made privately
by various persons, but principally, as the records
intimate, by the pastor and his wife. As one result
‘of this effort the trustees gave notice on the 4th of
February that they were prepared to pay all claims.
against the church. They passed a hearty resolu-
tion of thanks to “ G. D. Carrow and his lady for-
their zealous and efficient services in providing sub--
scriptions to the payment of the remaining debt upon:
the church.”
Many of the subscriptions made were not paid in:
full until late in the following year; but, having con-
fidence in the value of the subscriptions ; the trustees.
borrowed money to meet the old obligations; andi
under date of December 28, 1865, the President of the-
72 From 1863 to 1888.
Board of Trustees, Adam Wolf, reported to the
male members as follows :
“For the first time in twenty-five years the treas-
urer reports no debt. Our church property is free
from human obligation. To God, the Giver of all
good, thanks and all glory is due. May personal
devotion and a hand and heart ever ready to help in
the extension of his kingdom on earth manifest our
gratitude.”
The trustees who managed the temporal affairs of
the church during the years from 1863 to 1866 were
James Black, Benjamin F. Shenk, Christian L.
Stoner, Joseph Samson, Adam Wolf, John Kuhns,
William Hensel, James Potts and William Compton,
M. D.
When the Conference of 1865 closed Charles I.
Thompson was appointed to the First Church, Lan-
caster. He was a brother-in-law to Goldsmith D.
‘Carrow, and from that fact more in sympathy with
the plans of the latter than a stranger could have
been, and for carrying forward those plans he is en-
titled to a share of the credit of freeing the church
from the burden of debt which had rested upon it
‘during all the years since 1840. Charles I. Thomp-
son was the first pastor who served the charge for
three successive years. At the end of his first year
he reported 265 members and 95 probationers, and
at the end of his term 315 members and 31 proba-
tioners. The missionary collection in his first year
amounted to $450; in his second year to $420.50,
From 1863 to 1888. 73
and in his third year to $420.00, the smallest of
these sums being seventy per cent. in advance of the
largest; missionary offering theretofore made by the
church.
During the pastorate of Charles I. Thompson, in
1866, the Centennial of American Methodism was
appropriately observed. Bishop Matthew Simpson
was present on the occasion. About $2000 were
raised for centennial purposes, $500 being contributed
by the Sunday-school. For this latter amount a per-
manent scholarship in Dickinson College was secured;
but, strange to relate, the church has never made use
of any part of its privileges.
On April 1st, 1867, the Young Men’s Christian
Brotherhood was organized by Charles I. Thomp-
son, and Joseph H. Selvert became the first president.
The association was largely composed of young men
who had been won to Christ and the church through
the labors of his faithful servant.
The members of the association found employment
for their talents and energies in holding cottage
prayer meetings and sustaining a Sunday-school in
the western part of the city. They also raised the
funds necessary to purchase and repair a church
property on Charlotte street, near Lemon street, which
had been sold at Sheriff's sale and was in possession
of a private citizen.
Considerable opposition was manifested when the
purchase of the property was suggested, but finally
Joseph H. Selvert was authorized and empowered
74 From 1868 to 1888.
to make the purchase, which he did in 1867, the
deed being executed on the 24th of March, 1868.
Two days after, by endorsement on the deed he con-
veyed the property to the First Methodist Hpis-
copal Church. The title remained thus vested until
April 1st, 1892, when it was sold for the sum of
31000 to the Western Methodist Episcopal Church
of Lancaster.
In August, 1867, the church had the pleasure of a
visit and a sermon from the Rev. Henry Boehm,
who had become generally known as “Father
Boehm,” being at that time about ninety-two years
of age. ;
At the Conference of 1868 Henry F. Hurn was ap-
pointed pastor of the First Church, Lancaster. “ He
served the church with signal ability as a preacher,”
but after only a few months’ residence in Lancaster
he “ died rather suddenly ” on July 17th, 1868, in
the 46th year of his age and the 22nd of his ministry.
Edward J. Gray, of the Central Pennsylvania
Conference, was secured by the Presiding Elder to
serve as pastor during the remainder of the Confer-
ence year. It was during this period that the choir
under the leadership of E. Lane Schofield, M. D., ex-
pressed a desire to introduce a pipe organ for use in
the church services. The matter was fully consid-
ered by the trustees, and on the 11th of September,
1868, they voted to permit an organ to be placed
in the end gallery, provided the debt on the same
should not exceed $500.
From 1863 to 1888. 75
It was not long thereafter before an organ was ac-
cordingly placed in the rear of the choir in the east
gallery, and continued to serve the choir and con-
gregation until the church was vacated on December
18th, 1891. It was soon thereafter sold to the
Ridge Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Harris-
burg, Pa.
At the end of the Conference year the pastor re-
ported 327 members and 67 probationers, and a mis-
sionary collection of $575.
The church was very desirous to retain the services
of Edward J. Gray another year, and for that pur-
pose sought to have him transferred to the Philadel-
phia Conference, or make an arrangement with the
Presiding Elder by which he could be retained as
“a supply.” The “state of the work,” however,
would not admit of either of these plans being
adopted.
A rearrangement of the Districts of the Confer-
ence was made in the spring of 1869. The Harris-
burg District was formed, and Robert H. Patti-
son appointed Presiding Elder. He filled the office
with great acceptability and singular popularity
until the spring of 1873.
During these years Lancaster was a part of the
Harrisburg District.
In 1869 Curtis F. Turner was appointed to the
First Church, Lancaster, and reappointed in 1870.
Every interest of the church was well cared for dur-
ing his pastorate, and at its close he reported 348
members and 20 probationers.
76 From 1863 to 18838.
At the annual meeting of the male members held
December 31st, 1869, authority was given to the
trustees to purchase a lot of ground on East King
street between Plum and Ann streets, authority
which was exercised by the appointment of James
Black as the representative of the trustees on the
19th of January, 1870. On the 31st of March he re-
ported that the purchase had been made, and the
deed would be ready on the following day.
Before the close of the Conference year it was
learned that the property on the southwest corner
of Duke and Walnut streets was likely to be sold in
a short time, and, as it adjoined the property already
owned by the church, it was deemed advisable for
the church to possess it. A committee was ap-
pointed with authority to purchase, but they did
not succeed in their efforts.
The close of the Conference year brought a change
of pastors. Joseph E. Smith was appointed in 1871,
and continued in charge as pastor until the spring of
1874, being the second minister who served the
church in that relation for three successive years.
He was exceedingly popular in the church and in
the community generally, and during his pastorate
a great desire was created for a better house of
worship. In fact no thorough repairs had been
made to the building since 1854; the membership
had increased in numbers and improved in circum-
stances; the congregations were large, being limited
only by the capacity of the building; the Sunday-
SN
THE REV. HENRY BOEHM.
From 1868 to 1888. 17
school was required to meet in a low, contracted
basement, and if Methodism was to exert its proper
influence on the community, which had also wonder-
fully developed in material prosperity in twenty
years, a new house of worship was acknowledged to
be a necessity.
The trustees took the subject into consideration,
various propositions came before them, the male
members gave authority to the trustees to pro-
ceed with the work of building a new church, and
finally the lot at the northeast corner of Duke and
Walnut streets was purchased on large credit, the
price agreed upon being $9000.00. Plans were
drawn, estimates were secured, and the prospect of
a church and chapel costing together about $50,-
000.00 seemed to be exceedingly bright, but various
causes which need not be mentioned here compelled
the abandonment of the project, and hope in this
direction died.
In the first year of Joseph E. Smith’s pastorate
measures were adopted to afford proper accommoda-
tions to the Sunday-school in the eastern part of the
city; and on the 8th of October, 1871, the corner
stone of the building now recognized as the East
King Street Methodist Episcopal Church was laid
with appropriate ceremonies-by the venerable Henry
Boehm, who “expressed great satisfaction at the
progress of Methodism in the city of Lancaster”
since he organized the class in 1807.
At the close of Joseph E. Smith’s pastorate, in 1874,
78 From 1863 to 1888.
the church had 838 members and 33 probationers.
The missionary offerings of the people had steadily
increased until they amounted to $744.63.
The General Conference of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church which met in Brooklyn, New York, in
1872, in determining the boundaries of the several
Annual Conferences, changed the lines between the
Philadelphia Conference and the Central Pennsyl-
vania so as to include the city of Harrisburg within
the territory of the latter. This necessitated a re-
arangement of the districts of the Philadelphia Con-
ference. The Susquehanna District was formed, with
others, at the Conference session of 1873, and Curtis
F. Turner was appointed Presiding Elder. He re-
tained the office until the spring of 1877, when George
Cummins became his successor, and continued in
office until 1881. These brethren resided in Lan-
caster, which was a part of the district, during their
respective terms of service.
Joseph B. Dobbins was appointed pastor in 1874,
and served faithfully and efficiently for three years
until the spring of 1877.
The delay in the matter of the new church and the
final failure of the enterprise imposed upon the trus-
tees the necessity of repairing and improving the old
church; consequently they began in the latter part of
the year 1874 a thorough renovation and improve-
ment, which occupied several months of the year
1875. A new roof was put on, the, exterior and in-
terior were painted, the walls of the main audience
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THE CHURCH ON DUKE STREET.
(ALSO REAR OF PARSONAGE.)
AS IT APPEARED FROM 1875 TO 1892.
From 1868 to 18838. 79
room were frescoed, the floor in the basement was
lowered several feet, hoods were placed over the
windows in Duke street, and after an expenditure of
about $4,000 the building presented a cheerful and
inviting appearance.
While this work was in progress the Sunday ser-
vices were held in the Court House, the use of which
had been granted by the County Commissioners.
The Presbyterians very kindly offered the use of
their church in which to hold the Sunday evening
services, but the Court House was preferred, and a
resolution of appreciation of their offer and thanks
for the same was voted to the Presbyterians.
In 1875 a mortgage for $3,500 was placed upon
the church and parsonage property to enable the
trustees to meet their obligations on account of the
recent improvements. A resolution was adopted to
sell the lot at the northeast corner of Duke and Wal-
nut streets. Under date of December 5, 1875, re-
port was made to the trustees that the lot had been
sold for $7,500. This was $1,500 less than the
price paid for it by the church.
When appointed to Lancaster, First Church, in
1874, Joseph B. Dobbins was also appointed to the
Missions, with J. M. Belford as a supply. These
Missions included the Sunday-schools, located, one
on East King street, and the other on Charlotte
street. Hope was indulged that the time had come
to bestow labor in both vicinities with a view to the
establishment of regular church services. J. M. Bel-
80 From 1868 to 1888.
ford labored only a few months. After he relin-
quished his part of the charge services were held
with some degree of regularity by the local brethren,
exhorters and others, until 1877.
At the close of his third year Joseph B. Dobbins
was able to report 437 members and 27 probationers.
All departments of the church were in excellent
condition.
In the spring of 1877 Lancaster’s First Church
and Missions received John R. Boyle and William
H. Aspril, the latter being especially assigned to the
care of the Missions under the patronage and sup-
port of the First Church.
The importance of the Sunday-schools forming a
part of the charge oceupied the thought and care of the
pastor, and measures were adopted to increase the
attendance and promote the efficiency of the officers
and teachers. Perhaps at no period in the history
of the charge was the pastoral oversight of this de-
partment of the church as thorough as during 1877
and 1878. The Chautauqua course of reading and
study was introduced among the young people at this
time, and the pastor had the satisfaction of reporting
amembership of eighty-eight in “The Chautauqua
Literary and Scientific Circle.”
William H. Aspril rendered faithful service in the
East and the West Mission, preaching, visiting
among the people and caring for the children. At
the Fourth Quarterly Conference held in November,
1877, a resolution was offered “ that the Bishop pre-
From 1868 to 1888. 81
siding at the next session of the Annual Conference
be requested to appoint an Assistant Pastor for the
Chapels,” but the resolution was amended so as to
read, “ provided $400 in bona fide subscriptions be
raised previous to the session of the Annual Confer-
ence.” The records do not show that the desired
amount was pledged.
John R. Boyle was reappointed pastor in 1878,
and, although his cares were increased by being left
without an assistant to labor at the missions, he ar-
ranged for the maintenance of regular services in
both the East and the West Mission by the local
preacher and exhorters of the church. H. V. Givler,
at that time a local preacher, now a member of the
Pittsburg Conference, rendered valuable assistance
at the West Mission towards the close of the year.
Although the Third Quarterly Conference requested
the reappointment of John R. Boyle for the year
1879, he was unexpectedly to himself and many of
the members of the church appointed to another
charge.
Samuel H. C. Smith was appointed to the First
Church, Lancaster, in 187 9.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference held in 1878
had passed a resolution concerning an assistant pastor
substantially the same as that adopted the previous
year, and the result was about the same. The
money was not pledged. An assistant was not ap-
pointed. At the First Quarterly Conference in 1879
an effort was made to secure $300 for the sup-
82 From 1863 to 1888.
port of an assistant pastor, but the Quarterly Confer-
ence attached conditions which imposed upon the
class at the West Mission the entire burden of secur-
ing this amount. H. V. Givler was employed as
assistant pastor, and rendered efficient service. The
building on Charlotte street was enlarged and im-
proved.
Towards the close of the Conference year H. V.
Givler and 8. W. Smith, the latter the son of the
pastor, were recommended for admission on trial in
the Annual Conference.
1n 1880 Samuel H. C. Smith was reappointed to
the First Church, with 8. Olin Garrison as assistant
in the care of the Missions.
The interests of the church were well cared for
during this year, and the West Mission developed a
degree of strength which fully justified the efforts its
friends had made to secure the direct personal super-
vision and labor of a pastor. The Hast Mission was
not so promising a field of labor, and did not receive
as much of the care and service of the brethren.
Henry G. Appenzeller, now Superintendent of Mis-
sions in Korea, was at this time connected with the
First Church as a local preacher and rendered valu-
able service in that relation.
At the Conference of 1881 the name of the district
was changed to West Philadelphia, and Jacob Dick-
erson was appointed Presiding Elder. He filled the
office greatly to the satisfaction of the church until
1885, when he was succeeded by John F. Crouch,
From 1868 to 1883. 83
who was reappointed each year until 1890. Both of
these ministers were well acquainted with the people
and needs of Lancaster Methodism, having resided
in the city as pastors of St. Paul’s M. E. Church.
In 1881 William C. Robinson was appointed pas-
tor of the First Church, with two assistants, Robert
A. MclIlwain and Henry G. Appenzeller. The
former devoted his time and energy to promote the
interests of the West Mission, while the latter was
engaged in similar work at the East Mission. The
pastor in charge was early called to speak of the
non-attendance at class:‘meeting, a condition of af-
fairs about which his predecessors and some of his
successors have been equally perplexed.
Special services were held in the First Church in
the month of November, which resulted in a number
of conversions and considerable spiritual profit and
blessing to the members. At the West Mission
about thirty-five persons professed conversion. At
“the East Mission the labors of the assistant pastor
were rewarded by the manifestation of a deep in-
terest upon the part of the people, an increase in the
‘Sunday-school and several conversions. The Quar-
terly Conference requested the reappointment of
the pastor and the two assistant pastors.
In the spring of 1882 William C. Robinson was
reappointed to the First Church, with Robert A.
MclIlwain as assistant pastor and one to be supplied.
‘Henry G. Appenzellar was appointed as the “sup-
‘ply’ by the Presiding Elder, but before the first of
84 From 1863 to 1883.
May he accepted “work” within the bounds of the
Newark Conference, convenient to Drew Theologi-
cal Seminary, which he entered at the beginning of
the fall term. Before the spring closed R. A. Mcll-
wain was removed by the Presiding Elder and ap-
pointed to Williamstown, Dauphin county, a charge
which had been made vacant by the death of the
pastor. Benjamin F. Powell was employed by the
Presiding Elder as a “supply,” and entered upon his
work as assistant pastor on June 25th.
At the close of the year another gracious revival
attended the labors of the pastors. At the West
Mission fifty persons were added to the church,
while the number of probationers at the First
Church was increased to forty.
A movement was made to secure a change in the
charter, providing some other and more popular
method of electing trustees than that which pre-
vailed. The pastor expressed his judgment that this
movement, if carried through, would “result bene-
ficially,” but the movement was not successful.
On the 11th of March, 1883, the Philadelphia Con-
ference held its ninety-sixth annual session in the
Court House in Lancaster.
Union Church, Philadelphia, had been designated
as the place for holding this session, but in view of
the fact that the General Conference was to meet in
that city in 1884 it was thought advisable to change
the place of holding the session of the Annual Con-
ference. The Lancaster churches and people gave
From 1868 to 1888. 85
the Conference a most cordial greeting. Bishop
Thomas Bowman presided. The business of the
Conference was transacted with due deliberation,
and the debates and discussions impressed the large
audiences which assembled day after day with the
unusual ability of the ministers.
The anniversaries were occasions of rare interest,
the missionary anniversary especially, with the
addresses of Dr. Charles H. Fowler, then missionary
secretary, now Bishop, and Dr. Otis H. Tiffany,
then pastor of Spring Garden Street Church, Phila-
delphia, since entered into rest, exceeding anything
to which the Conference had been accustomed.
PARL VE
From 1883 ro 1893.
James T. Satchell and William Powick ; success at West
Mission ; William H. Aspril; Joseph R. Taylor Gray; Albert
N. Millison ; Francis B. Harvey ; good work at West Mission ;
First Church ; excellent congregations ; building becoming less
suited ; Edward W. Burke ; subject of new church discussed ;
work of F. B. Harvey at the West Mission ; Philadelphia Con-
ference again in Lancaster; Bishop Merrill presided ; appoint-
ment of Samuel M. Vernon; West Mission a separate charge ;
on the high seas ; reception, etc.; important events ; reappointed;
revival ; large ingathering ; the Conference of 1891; appoint-
ment of J. 8. J. McConnell; numerical strength; Epworth
League ; reception of probationers; net gain; special efforts
in new chapel; the new organ; visit and sermon of Bishop
Fowler; an interesting baptism; Ida Hannah Appenzeller;
thanksgiving service; report of the Building Committee ;
thanks by the Quarterly Conference ; extracts from the report ;
the Ladies’ Aid Society ; amount given by Ladies’ Aid Society ;
the Sunday-school ; Willing Helpers; Young People’s Asso-
ciation ; itemized statement.
T the close of the Conference of 1883 James T.
Satchell was appointed to the First Church,
with William Powick as assistant.
At the West Mission it was found necessary to in-
cur a debt in order to furnish a suitable parsonage
for the assistant, who was practically to be the pas-
tor of the Mission. A remarkably good degree of
success crowned the efforts of the brethren. At the
( 86 )
From 1888 to 1898. 87
First Church revival influences were manifest, the
congregations were excellent, both in size and qual-
ity, and in every department of work the progress of
the church was upward. Before the close of the
year the debt incurred at the West Mission was paid,
and so much advance was made that many people
supposed the time had arrived when a separate or-
vanization might be effected. In fact the Quarterly
Conference made a request for such an organization,
but for some unrecorded reason the charge remained
as before, First Church and Missions, and in the
spring of 1884 both pastors were reappointed.
This year was marked by vigorous effort along all
lines of church work, and resulted well, both in
spiritual and temporal advancement. Being the
centenary year of the organization of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, special contributions were asked
and received from the people to the amount of
$4,000. Three thousand five hundred dollars of’
this amount was applied in payment of the mortgage:
debt upon the parsonage, and five hundred dollars
donated to the Preachers’ Aid Society. The num--
ber of members reported at the close of the year was.
524 and of probations 100.
In the spring of 1885 James T. Satchell was again
reappointed to the First Church and Missions, with:
William H. Aspril as assistant.
The year was one of prosperity in all departments,.
and at its close resolutions appreciative of the pas--
tor and of the pastor’s wife were unanimously.
88 From 1883 to 1893.
adopted by a rising vote of a Quarterly Conference,
composed of twenty-eight members.
At the West Mission good work was done, but
the need of separate organization, for financial and
and other reasons, was increasingly felt.
In 1886 Joseph R. Taylor Gray was appointed to
the First Church and Missions, with “one to be sup-
plied.” He was well received, and in a short time
became exceedingly well liked by the people. It
was not, however, until August, 1886, that a supply
was secured in the person of Albert N. Millison,
who had been appointed at the session of Conference
to Bethesda, Delaware county.
In 1887 Joseph R. Taylor Gray was reappointed
to the First Church and Missions, with Francis B.
Harvey as assistant. The latter gave the most care-
ful attention to every interest at the West Mission,
secured the improvement of the property, a revision
of the records, a creditable increase in the member-
ship, and inspired the people with courage and hope.
The former gave equal care to the affairs of the
First Church. His congregations, like those of his
predecessor, were excellent, but the building was be-
coming less and less suited to a worshipping congre-
gation and prosperous Sunday-school. Resolutions
requesting the return of both pastors were adopted
by the Quarterly Conference.
At the close of the Conference of 1888 J. R. T.
Gray was reappointed to the First Church and Mis-
sions, with Edward W. Burke as a supply, ap-
pointed by the Presiding Elder, J. F. Crouch.
From 1888 to 1898. 89
The unfitness of the church building on Duke
street had become more and more apparent. Meet-
ings had been held in 1887, at which the subject was
discussed, and in 1888 necessity was upon the pastor
to preside at other meetings of a similar character.
They were not always praise services, but by them
the interests of the new church movement steadily
advanced. The progress actually made is mentioned
elsewhere.
At the West Mission new life seemed to be im-
parted. Francis B. Harvey had admirably prepared
the way for himself, or, for another, as the Bishop
and the Presiding Elders might determine, but
months passing before the supply was secured the
influence of preparation was measurably lost. The
regular weekly services were well sustained, how-
ever, and when the pastor came he found an appre-
ciative and willing people.
In the spring of 1889 the Philadelphia Conference
again held its session in Lancaster. Although only
six years had passed since it assembled in this place,
the body had grown considerably, so that the pas-
tors in the city had no small care in providing for
the entertainment of the Conference and its visitors.
The work was admirably accomplished, and the sat-
isfaction of the Conference found expression in reso-
lutions of thanks to the pastors of our own and
other churches, to citizens and friends generally who
had opened their homes and their hearts to welcome
so large a number of ministers to Lancaster.
90 From 1888 to 1898.
Bishop Stephen M. Merrill, D. D., presided over
the sessions and conducted the business of the Con-
ference in a most satisfactory manner.
At the close of the Conference of 1889 Samuel M.
Vernon was appointed to the First Church, and the
West Mission, which was formed into a separate
charge under the name of the Western Methodist
Episcopal Church, received its first pastor in the
person of Edward W. Burke, who had served them
the preceding year, and who was admitted on trial
at this session of the Conference.
Samuel M. Vernon was not present at the session
of the Conference, but was on the “high seas” on
his way home after a sojourn in the East, at the
time his appointment was announced. His reception
in the charge was of the most cordial character. He
entered upon his work under most favorable cir-
cumstances. The congregations were large, the fi-
nences of the church were in good condition, the
people were pleased with his style of address, and
everything that could be done by a predecessor to
secure the success of the man who was to follow him
had been done by Joseph R. Taylor Gray.
The passing year brought many important events
in the history of the church. The most prominent
of these are recorded in connection with “ The latest
church movement” in another part of this narrative.
It may be permitted to simply allude thus to them
here, and continue the chronological record.
At the session of the Conference in 1890 Samuel
From 1888 to 1898. 91
M. Vernon was reappointed to the First Church.
James H. Hargis was appointed Presiding Elder of
the West Philadelphia District to succeed John F.
Crouch.
With the opening of the year.1891 gracious influ-
ences were manifest in the congregation, and special
revival efforts resulted in the conversion of many
persons. Seventy-two were received on probation
before the close of the Conference year.
At the session of the Conference of 1891 John 8.
Janes McConnell was appointed to the First Church,
and reappointed in 1892. As he is the compiler of
this narrative he is not unmindful of the words of
Holy Writ: It is not good to eat much honey; so
for men to search their own glory is not glory.
He found 518 members and 88 probationers who
demanded his pastoral care, besides no small respon-
sibility in connection with the new church enterprise.
One of the first and most important events of the
year was the organization of a chapter of the Ep-
worth League. This was accomplished on May the
8rd, 1891. Other societies for young people had ex-
isted in the church, and one, the Young People’s As-
sociation, was at the time doing a good work along
the lines of its own choosing. No attempt was made
to interfere in the slightest degree with that organi-
zation, but the Epworth League movement was
growing throughout the Church, and to get the
young people in line with their own denominational
institutions and have them feel the strong sympa-
92 From 1883 to 1893.
thetic touch of kindred spirits throughout the land
was the aim of the pastor.
In the midst of many discouraging circumstances
Chapter No. 5,627 of the Epworth League of the First
M. E. Church of Lancaster has steadily grown, and
with the proper degree of encouragement will yet
become a strong arm of power in the church.
The pastor had the extreme pleasure on the 13th
of September, 1891, of extending the right hand of
fellowship to 68 of the probationers, and welcoming
them to full membership in the church. Although
there were many removals, and one of the heaviest
mortality lists in the history of the church, as well
as various changes in the records, at the end of the
first year there was a net gain in the membership of
ten per cent., and all the benevolent contributions of
the church were increased, except the missionary
collection taken in the Sunday-school.
Shortly after the new chapel was occupied special
efforts were made to awaken a deeper interest in the
spiritual affairs of the church. The results were not
equal to the expectations. Eleven persons were re-
ceived on probation.
During the summer of 1892, after the dedication
of the new church, the organ was completed and
placed in the organ loft in the rear of the pulpit. It
was built by C. 8. Haskell, Esq., of Philadelphia,
and is pronounced by competent judges one of the
very finest, if not absolutely the finest pipe organ in
Lancaster county. On Tuesday evening, September
From 1888 to 1898. 93
20th, 1892, the inaugural recital attracted an audi-
ence of four hundred people, “ who had the pleasure
of listening to one of the finest musical treats ever
given in this city.”* The performers were Profes-
sors David D. Wood and Irvin J. Morgan, each of
whom played a number of classic selections well
adapted to display the varied powers of the magnifi-
cent instrument. Both professors were enthusiastic
in their praise of the new organ, pronouncing it one
of the finest on which they have performed.
On Sunday morning, November 6th, 1892, Bishop
Charles H. Fowler, D. D., LL. D., favored the
church with his presence and a sermon of great
beauty and strength on the gain of godliness, his
text being 1. Timothy, 4: 8. “ Godliness is profitable
unto all things, having promise of the life that now
is, and of that which is to come.” A large and ap-
preciative audience listened with intense delight to
the Bishop’s discourse, and at the close of the ser-
vice rose en masse at the suggestion of the pastor,
thereby expressing their thanks. The Bishop’s com-
ing was not fully advertised, as there was an element
of uncertainty about it until alate hour. A most
beautiful and appropriate service in connection with
the Bishop’s visit, and one in which the pastor was
privileged to join, was the baptism of Ida Hannah
Appenzeller, born in Seoul, Korea, October 5th,
1891, daughter of the Rev. Henry G. Appenzeller,
*The New Era.
94 From 1888 to 1893.
Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Mission
in Korea, and Mrs. Ella Dodge A ppenzeller, formerly
a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church,
Lancaster.
On the 21st of November, 1892, the pastor and
treasurer presented to the Building Committee a full
detailed report of every item entering into the cost
of the new church, together with a statement of the
indebtedness at that time. This had been authorized
to be done about one month before. At the Fourth
Quarterly Conference, held on the 20th of December,
1892, twenty-one official brethren, besides the pastor,
being present, and the Presiding Elder, J. H. Hargis,
in the chair, this report, which had been adopted by
the Building Committee, was presented as the final
report of the committee to the body by which it had
been appointed. The report was received and the
committee discharged with thanks. The obligations
remaining due were formally passed to the care and
management of the trustees, all of whom had been
members of the committee, and a special vote of
thanks was unanimously, and by rising, tendered to
the pastor for his wise and efficient leadership of the
Building Committee in the affairs of the new church.
* * * * * * *
The Lancaster New Era of Friday, November 25,
1892, contained the following item:
“An unusually large congregation for Thanks-
giving Day assembled in the First M. E. Church at
the hour of 9.30 A. M. The number of men present
was an exceptionally gratifying feature. The ser-
From 1883 to 1898. 95
vices were announced to continue about one hour,
and, notwithstanding the variety of the programme,
the benediction was pronounced at thirty-two min-
utes past ten o’clock, A. M.
“The services were under the leadership and direc-
tion of the pastor, the Rev. Dr. McConnell, and con-
sisted of singing two selections from the church
hymnal; two anthems by the choir; a selection by
the quartette from the Orange street Synagogue ;
prayer by the Rev. J. H. Esterline; Scripture read-
ings by the Rev. C. C. Clark and the Rev. H. G.
Appenzeller, of Korea; excellent, brief addresses by
the Rev. C. W. Hutsler, the Rev. Rabbi C. Levy
and Dr. McConnell, and the benediction by the Rev.
D. W. Bicksler.
“Nine ministers were present, seven of whom
shared in the services. There was but one opinion
heard respecting the entire service, and that was that
it was one of the most appropriate and interesting, as
well as profitable, held in recent years in this city.
“The arrangement of a service of one hour’s dura-
tion, beginning at an hour that does not conflict
with domestic duties, and closing so as not to inter-
fere with noon reunion and festivities, was made for
the firat time by Rev. Dr. McConnell one year ago,
and owing to its success then was repeated this year
with the results noted above.”
* * * * * * *
This narrative would be incomplete without a
recognition of the assistance rendered by various
96 From 1888 to 1898.
auxiliaries of the Building Committee and the trus-
tees. As these are mentioned in the report to which
reference has been made the members and friends of
these auxiliaries will be gratified to see and read the
essential paragraphs of the report in this place, in-
cluding the action of the trustees concerning the
work of the Ladies’ Aid Society.
The entire cost of the new church, as per items
on page 100, was $83,091.47.
The financial transactions of the Building Com-
mittee, year by year, since the consummation* of
the purchase of the lot, were as follows:
From April 1st, 1889, to April 9th, 1890, the
receipts were $5,866.22, and the disbursements
$3,306.06, leaving as the balance in the treasury at
the latter date $2,560.16. The indebtedness was $12.,-
000, secured by a mortgage, this sum being part
of the purchase price of the lot. The receipts in-
cluded $23.22 of Sunday-school funds entered in the
account under misapprehension and returned to the
Sunday-school treasury, October 5th, 1891.
From April 9th, 1890, to March 7th, 1891, the
receipts were $15,884.91, which with the balance of
$2,560.16, gave the trustees $18,445.07 for use in the
Building Fund. They were compelled to borrow
$6,645.95 to add to the fund, so that they had for
*The purchase was made in February, 1889, but, in accord-
ance with the custom which prevails in Lancaster county, it
was not regarded as consummated until the first day of April
following.
From 1888 to 1898. 97
use $25,091.02. The disbursements were $25,082.15.
These included $61.20 for interest, and $1,820.95 re-
turned on account of money borrowed. The balance
in the treasury was $8.87. The indebtedness was in-
creased to $16,825; $12,000 secured by mortgage
and $4,825 by notes given by the trustees.
From March 10th, 1891, to March Ist, 1892, the
receipts were $16,957.22, which with the balance of
$8.87, gave the trustees $16,966.09 for use in the
Building Fund. They borrowed $17,683, so that
they had for use $34,649.09. The disbursements
were $34,541.89. These included the return of
$23.22 mentioned in connection with the receipts of
the years 1889; the payment of $428.32 for interest;
the payment of $4,825 for notes outstanding March
7th, 1891, and the return of $11,083.00 on account of
money borrowed during the year. The indebtedness
March Ist, 1892, was $18.600, $12,000 secured by
mortgage and $6,600 by notes given by the trustees.
The balance in the treasury was $107.20.
From March Ist, 1892, to November 21st, 1892,
the receipts were $18,532.63, which with the balance
of $107.20 gave the trustees for use in the Building
Fund $18,639.88. Loans were obtained to the
amount of $12,200, so that the trustees had for use
$30,839.83. The disbursements were $30,651.50.
These included $145 for interest, and the return
of $6,350 on account of notes outstanding March
Ist, 1892. The indebtedness November 21st, 1892,
is $26,062.04; $12,000 secured by mortgages;
98 From 1888 to 1898.
$12,450 by notes given by the trustees and $1,-
612.04 representing bills unpaid. The balance in the
treasury November 21st, 1892, is $188.33.
The aggregate receipts and disbursements, deduct-
ing the $23.22 mentioned in the transactions of the
first year, have been as follows: Receipts, $93,-
746.71; disbursements, $93,558.38. Leaving the
balance as above, $188.33.
It may not be uninteresting to know that $65,-
349.63, constituted the working capital between
March 10th, 1891, and November 21st, 1892, a period
of a little more than one year and eight months.
* * * * * * *
The indebtedness has been somewhat modified
since the report was presented and adopted, and is
at this date, January 14th, 1893, $25,706.52; and
is in form as follows: $12,000 secured by mortgage
being part of the purchase price of the lot; 313,-
300 in notes given by the trustees, and $406.52 repre-
senting bills payable. The balance in the treasury
at this date is $268.96.
* * * * * * *
At the meeting of the trustees held November
21st, 1892, the following paper was unanimously
adopted, to wit:
Wuereas, The Ladies’ Aid Society of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church organized in the year
1888, under the pastorate of the Rev. J. R. T. Gray,
have collected, secured and paid into the Building
Fund of said church the sum of $4,239.61, which has
been applied in payment for:
From 1888 to 1893. 99
Chapel chairs ...... wee). $799.40
Gallery chairs . 2... ....020, . . 264.60
Carpet and matting, lining, sewing and laying
the same: <2 fos ee we ee . . 1,192.78
Pews for the main audience room... . 1,852.45
Cushions 2.65 26 ee ee we — 630.43
$4,239.61
And have collected and paid on two occasions the
semi-annual interest on the mortgage on the church
lot, namely, $300 on October Ist, 1889, and $300 on
, April Ist, 1890, and further paid $38 in March,
1891, for cleaning the parsonage and repairing furni-
ture, and donated the sum of $50 to the general
purpose of the Building Fund on the occasion of the
opening of the chapel on December 20th, 1891, in
addition to bearing expenses and interest to the
amount of $17.82, thus making the total financial re-
sult of their efforts reach the handsome sum of
$4,945.43, and
Wuereas, This work carried forward through
four and a-half years has required the exercise of
much patience and forbearance, as well as skill and
energy, and has involved no small amount of sacri-
fice upon the part of the ladies, therefore,
Resolved, That the Trustees of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church place upon record their apprecia-
tion of the earnest and faithful efforts of the Ladies’
Aid Society, and heartily thank them for the contri-
butions they have made, and the form in which
they have placed them as indicated in the preamble.
100 From 1883 to 1893.
* * * * * * *
The items entering into the cost of the new church
are as follows:
Lot of ground N. W. cor. of Duke and Wal-
DUS, wee 2a S eo a . . $15,000 00
Circulars printed i 1889.2 6 ie oe ae ey 6 06
Contract for the building, John Evans, . . 45,400 00
Extras in the contractor’s bill, John Evans, - 586 12
Contract for heating, John Best, . . . .. 2,432 00
Glass for chapel and church including memo-
vial windows,. ........... **4 496 36
Chairs for the chapel, ee ee ee . *T99 40
Chairs for the gallery,. .. 2... ... *264 60
Chairs for thechoir,. ...... . 2. . 180 00
Reflectors in the chapel,. ........ 143 50
Chapel pulpitandtables,. ........ 99 65
Carpet and matting,. ©... . ew, *1,091 62
Carpet lining, sewing and laying, wom ey LO AD
Matting for stairs and vestibules,. . 88 04
Chapel organs, aN drGr "be A ge 0b Sok ae 200 00
Pews, .... ee ae ee ee *1,352 45
Cushions, ee ee ee ee eee ge .. . *630 43
Pipe organ, eee wwe we He a ee (8800000
Organ room, . . 3 aS EP 63 65
Pulpit, Bible, Hymnal and Ritual, va es **256°00
Expenses at chapel opening, ....... 50 00
Insurance, 3 @ 4 ¥. 3 96 ee wa Oe es 452 40
Collection plates and lining, . . 62 04
Library shelves and boxes; sashlifts and
hardware; iron support for girders and
carpenter ‘work, e8 4 oe eS 86 35
Pulpit furniture for "church, S94 Was 236 44
Gas fixtures, ......-...., Be Se ante 973 52
Curbing and Paving; «© a wae ww s 1,663 97
Extra painting,. .. Soe eS ae 133 55
Expenses of dedication week,
Printing and postage, .......... 38 60
From 1888 to 1893. 101
Iron supports for electric wires in front of
church,. . . . **42 80
Sodding plats on both sides of church, ors 43 40
Transfer of right of ae uy: C. a SP acitt hereon Ws 75 00
Division fences,. . . cof i 85 15
BUTVEVANGS: ops: ak So klar. BE ae. Bad 5 00
Hauling, . . . Soa ain bh Ur weieienx aise 11 90
Expense with old organ, . ae lad 10 00
Extra platform in Sunday- school room, ace 54 87
Carpets and cushions for same,. . .... 23 30
T. P. Lonsdale, architect, woe gaa: (A195 -380
R. M. Morrow, pean at, SF dk say Sayranes 500 00
Interest on loan and notes,. ....... 634 52
Labor,.. . iy 54 18
Envelope boxes and expressage on same, ea 10 35
Bell for Sunday-school, . . . 2... ... 4 00
Electric lights at pulpit, . a 11 50
Florist’s bill for flowers and vases at dedi-
CAION sre. 4 Boe Re 7 50
Accumulated interest on loans to Oct. 1, 1892, 145 02
$83,091 47
N. B.—The toal amount given by
Tue Lapvizs’ Alp Society ....... . . $4,239.61
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. . ......... . 9839.30
THe WILLING HELPERS .. . 6a 2 ae » 182,60
THE YoOuNG Puopinls Axeooraaran eth ois : 104.47
To which should be added seventy-seven cents
which was put into a general collection after all bills
on account of the Young People’s Association were paid.
* Paid by Tue Laprzs’ Arp Society.
+ Paid by the Choir,
** Paid by special donations for that object.
i
PART VIt.
From SepremMBer, 1885, to DecemBer 13, 1891. THE
Latest New Caurco Movement.
Memorial from Sunday-school Board to Trustees ; change of
pastors ; needs of the church again considered ; leadership of
J. R. T. Gray ; $15,000 pledged ; authority from male members
to make purchase of ground ; lot bought ; Thomas P. Lonsdale
selected as architect; breaking ground; work on the new
church progressed slowly; change of plans; a tower; the
corner stone laid ; a change of pastors ; a feeling of resentment
aroused ; the new pastor appointed chairman of the building
committee ; report made in July, 1891 ; the chapel completed in
December, 1891; announcement of dedication ; farewell serv-
ices in the old church on Duke street ; four Sunday-schools as-
sembled ; a laymen’s meeting ; synopsis of addresses ; church
crowded ;a memorable occasion.
Cy the 27th of September, 1885, the Sunday-
school Board adopted a memorial for presen-
tation to the Board of Trustees setting forth the dis-
advantages under which the officers and teachers of
the school labored and the inconvenience experienced
by the scholars who attended the Sunday-school.
The memorial was signed by the pastor, J. T. Satchell;
by five officers of the school and seventeen other per-
sons, representing teachers and members of the bible
class.
On the 30th of October, 1885, the memorial was
presented to the Board of Trustees, who gave it re-
( 102 )
From September, 1885, to December, 1891. 1038
spectful attention. “ After a lengthy discussion par-
ticipated in by all the members present, the follow-
ing resolution was adopted, viz:
“ Resolved, That the Board of Trustees fully con-
cur in the views expressed in the memorial presented
from the Sunday-school Board, but do not deem it
expedient at the present time to make any additions
or alterations to the church building, as in the near
future the entire church will have to be rebuilt or
remodelled so as to give the desired accommoda-
tions.” *
The Sunday-school Board reluctantly acquiesced
in the decision of the trustees, but the agitation of
the needs of the school was continued until it was
found expedient to bring the subject of a new church
before a meeting of the male members, in accordance
with the provisions of the charter prohibiting the
creation of a debt, or the incumbrance of the prop-~
erty, except by and with the concurrence of a ma-
jority of the male members present and voting, at a
meeting regularly called, ete.
Meanwhile a change of pastors occurred. The:
time of J. T. Satchell, who had served the church.
most efficiently and successfuly for three years, ex--
pired with the Conference session in 1886, and J. R.
T. Gray was appointed to the charge of the First
Church, Lancaster.
On the 21st of June, 1887, the needs of the church,
* Modified from the minutes..
104 The Latest New Church Movement.
were presented to the consideration of the male
members in meeting assembled. The pastor was
chosen to preside. With characteristic clearness and
force he presented the claims of the Sunday-school
and the needs of the congregation, which, frequently
during his pastorate, tested the capacity of the
church. The action of the meeting was favorable to
a new church enterprise. The leadership of the pas-
tor was given to the movement, and during the re-
mainder of that year and much of the next (for in
1888 he was again appointed to the charge of the First
Church and Missions, with one to be supplied) he
labored to create sentiment and secure subscriptions
contingent upon the prosecution of the work. Be-
fore the close of his pastorate, in the spring of 1889,
J. R. T. Gray was enabled to report subscriptions
to the amount of about $15.000, and, on the strength
of the promised codperation of the members and
friends of the church, an agreement was made for
the purchase of a lot of ground that has been justly
styled “one of the finest sites in the city of Lan-
caster.”
On the Ist of January, 1889, the male members
authorized the trustees to purchase a suitable lot of
ground for the new church. On the 18th of Febru-
ary, 1889, they authorized the trustees to ratify and
confirm an agreement made by 8S. M. Myers, as one
of the New Church Committee appointed by the
Quarterly Conference, and the executors of the es-
tate of Jacob Griel, deceased, for the purchase of the
From September, 1885, to December, 1891. 105
lot and house on the northwest corner of Duke and
Walnut streets for $15,000. Two days after the
trustees assumed the responsibility thus imposed
upon them and directed the proper officers to ratify
and confirm the agreement.
This lot contains 108 feet on Duke street, and on
its northern side for a distance of 23 feet of its width
extends about 240 feet to Christian street, while for
85 feet of its width it extends 152 feet on Walnut
street. On the part 85 feet by 152 feet the new
church is erected. The purchase was completed on
the first day of April, 1889, at which time the con-
veyance was made. The price paid was $3,000,
subject to a mortgage of $12,000, bearing interest at
the rate of five per cent. per annum.
On the 14th of June, 1889, Thomas P. Lonsdale,
of Philadelphia, was selected as the architect for the
new building. Plans were prepared, modified and
adopted in due time, but the contract was not entered
into until the 19th of November, 1889.
On Thursday afternoon, November 28th, 1889,
Thanksgiving Day, special services were held under
the direction of the pastor, 8. M. Vernon, in the “ old
Griel building” on the new church site. The most
prominent and joyful feature of the occasion was the
breaking of the ground for the foundation of the new
church. The pastor took out the first spadeful of
earth. He was followed by Mrs. Florella Sampson, the
oldest member of the society. After her the trustees,
the Ladies’ Aid Society and the members of the church
106 The Latest New Church Movement.
took part in the simple ceremony which was calcu-
lated to bind more closely to each other those who
were engaged in its performance. Addresses were de-
livered on this occasion by the pastor, by R. M. Mor-
row, President of the Trustees, and Samuel M. Myers.
Work on the new church progressed, but slowly
during the winter of 1889 and the spring of 1890.
Some delay was caused by changing the plans so as
to provide for a tower at the corner of Duke and
Walnut street, and arranging the foundations so
that the corner stone should form a part of this
tower.
At halfpast five o’clock on Sunday afternoon,
July 5th, 1890, the corner stone was laid with ap-
propriate services which were in charge of the pastor.
He was assisted by the pastor of St. Paul’s M. E.
Church, the Rev. E. C. Yerkes; the pastor of St.
Paul’s Reformed Church, the Rev. J. W. Meminger ;
the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, the
Rev. J. Y. Mitchell, D. D.; the pastor of Trinity
Lutheran Church, the Rev. C. L. Fry, and by the
Rev. J. R. T. Gray.
The change of pastors which took place in the
spring of 1891, referred to elsewhere, for a time
threatened serious consequences. The reason for any
change was not apparent to large numbers of the
members of the church, and various imaginings were
indulged until a feeling of resentment was engen-
dered against Bishop C. H. Fowler, who presided at
the Conference, the Presiding Elder of the District
From September, 1885, to December, 1891. 107
and the newly appointed pastor. This feeling was
widespread and gave rise to all sorts of rumors cal-
culated to hinder the work, but after a time the
loyalty of the people began to assert itself. Better
judgments prevailed, and the Quarterly Conference
at its session on the 27th day of March, 1891,
elected the newly appointed pastor chairman of the
Building Committee.
From a report made by him in July, 1891, the fol-
lowing paragraph is transferred to these pages:
Since Conference there have been a few interrup-
tions to the work in consequence of the rains of April
and May, which interfered with the quarrying of
stone and slate, and some delay was caused by the
death of the superintendent of the ornamental stone
work. The blue stone work had reached but little
above the sill of the large central window when
Conference came; now all the blue stone is in place
on both chapel and main edifice. The trimming and
ornamental stone is also in place. Work on the
tower is advancing, though necessarily slowly. The
chapel roof is slated, and before these lines reach the
reader the slating of the main building will doubt-
less be completed. In the interior the walls of the
church are stripped and ready for lathing. The
floors are laid in the chapel, and the walls have re-
ceived the first coat of plaster. The mill work, such
as the sash for the chapel, is receiving attention.
The contract for the glass has been awarded, as has
also the contract for the seats for the first and the
second story of the chapel.
108 The Latest New Church Movement.
The grading of the sidewalk has been begun, but
cannot be completed until the lime boxes and stone
sheds can be taken away, so as to allow of the removal
of the present unsightly and undesirable trees.*
Despite apparently adverse circumstances, the
pastor and Building Committee put what force they
could control back of the different contractors, and
the work on the new church went forward without
the loss of a single day being caused by the action
of the officiary or the church.
Early in December, 1891, the pastor made the fol-
lowing announcement: The chapel is completed
with the exception of a few comparatively minor de-
tails of work, which will receive attention without
unnecessary delay. We can pronounce the chapel
ready for occupancy. Appropriate religious services
will be held in it on Sunday, December 20th, com-
mencing at 10 o’clock in the morning; 1:45 in the
afternoon, and 7:15 in the evening.
The Rev. Cyrus D. Foss, D. D., LL. D., one of the
Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, will
preach at the morning service. The Rev. George
Edward Reed, D. D., LL. D., President of Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pa., will preach in the evening.
The Rev. J. H. Hargis, D. D., Presiding Elder of
the West Philadelphia District, will be present and
participate in the services of the day. All the ser-
vices will be held in the second story of the Chapel,
*The Methodist Messenger, July, 1891.
From September, 1885, to December, 1891. 109
a spacious room about 70 feet long by 40 feet wide,
intended to constitute the apartment for the main
division of the Sunday-school.
At the afternoon service the Sunday-sehool, under
the direction of the superintendent, J. L. Withrow,
D. D.S., will render an appropriate programme of
Christmas music.
In view of the hallowed associations and memories
connected with the building that for nearly fifty
years had been the home of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church in Lancaster, it was deemed ap-
propriate to hold farewell services before going to
the new chapel on Walnut street. Accordingly, on
Sunday, December 18th, 1891, an interesting and
profitable love feast was held, commencing at 9
o'clock a. m. At 10:30 o’clock a. m. the pastor
preached on “The Fellowship of Believers,” basing
his remarks on I. John 1: 5-7.
In the afternoon the four Methodist Sunday-
schools of the city held a union service. All per-
sons not connected with one or other of the schools
were invited to remain at home. This was well, for
the members of the schools, embracing the school
of the First Church, St. Paul’s school, Western
school and East King street school, crowded the
house. The musica] part of the programme was in
charge of J. L. Withrow, D. D. 8., superintendent
of the school of the First Church. The intention
was to have James Black, Esq., preside, because of
110 The Latest New Church Movement.
his relations to the early history of the schools, but a
severe cold prevented his attendance. The presi-
dency devolved upon Dr. McConnell, pastor of the
First Church. C. Lee Gaul, pastor of St. Paul’s
Church, offered prayer. Brief addresses were deliv-
ered by Dr. McConnell and H. Varian Miller of the
First Church, Rea Reed of St. Paul’s Church, Jacob
Werntz of the Western Church and Moses Hollinger
of the East King street school. The hymns sung
were familiar to all the schools and contributed in
no small degree to make the occasion a glad jubilee.
The benediction was pronounced by Charles C.
Clark, pastor of the Western Church. This was the
first time in the history of the schools that they
were brought together for a service, and the gladness
which they experienced will not soon be forgotten.
In the evening a laymen’s meeting was held.
Robert M. Morrow, President of the Board of Trus-
tees, occupied the chair and directed the services.
The choir led the congregation in the well-known
hymn, “Come, thou fount of every blessing.”
Prayer was offered by the pastor. Addresses were
then delivered which were well reported in the
papers on the following day. From the Lancaster
Intelligencer a modified epitome of the addresses is
transferred to these pages:
The first address was by Mr. Morrow. He said
thé congregation has assembled for the last time in
regular Sabbath church services within these sacred
walls. He would leave the old building with pleas-
From September, 1885, to December, 1891, 111
ant recollections of it, and hoped all would leave be-
hind all in their hearts that was of a sinful nature
and take with them to the new church only what
was good. His first entrance into this church was
in 1849, when he visited this city. In 1853, when
he came to live here, he deposited his certificate, and
had been identified with the church and its people
ever since. The old building was endeared to him
by many sweet recollections. His intercourse with
the brethren and sisters had been most pleasant.
Twice he had remodelled this building, and much of
the work was done with his own hands. All the
work about the altar he had personally done. He
rejoiced to see the handsome edifice on the other
corner ready for occupancy, and prayed that God
would be with the congregation there.
Wm. H. Bateman was next called upon. He said
he realized a feeling of sadness as he looked back,
and the recollection of events in the history of the
church crowded about him. The best days of his
life were spent within the walls of this church.
Here he raised his family, and he was glad to say
that one of his sons was in the Gospel ministry in
the great Northwest. He joined the church in 1847,
and now as he looked about he saw but few who
were in it when he became a member. Je referred
to the death of the venerable Mrs. Samson, which
occurred only a few days ago,* who was connected
*Mrs. Florella Samson died on December 4th, 1891, aged
nearly 96 years.
112 The Latest New Church Movement.
with the church almost from its organization in this
city, and spoke of the uncertainty of life, and urged
all to be ready before the summons of death came.
Samuel M. Myers told of his conversion in 1848,
of his connection with the First Church in this city
since 1861. He went over the list of pastors since
1861, and spoke of the changes of the past thirty
years. He was glad that he was one that urged the
building of the new church, and hoped when it was
occupied that all would be harmony between the
brethren, and with harmony there would be success.
Joseph H. Selvert was called upon to speak. He
referred briefly to his recollection of the early mem-
bers of the church. He spoke of the pleasant associa-
tions formed in the old church which would never
be forgotten, and believed with the preceding speaker
that, before they went to the new church, all should
consecrate themselves anew to the service of the
Lord, determined to work harder than ever in his
cause,
After the singing of a hymn, the exercises were
closed with the benediction by the pastor. The at-
tendance was sufficient to crowd the main floor and
the galleries, and the interesting character of the
services was calculated to make the occasion a mem-
orable one to all who were present.
PART VILL
DEcEMBER 20,1891. THE OPENING OF THE’CHAPEL.
Opening of the new chapel; the order of exercises; sermon
by Bishop Foss ; Sunday-school exercises ; addresses by Bishop
Foss, Presiding Elder Dr. Hargis and Dr. G. E. Reed; even-
ing sermon by the Rev. Dr. Reed, President of Dickinson Col-
lege; announcements by the pastor; financial results; a sur-
prise to the people.
oe 20th, 1891, the day appointed for
the opening of the new chapel was all that
could be desired.
Ten o’clock was the hour designated for beginning
the services, but long before that hour the chapel
was filled with members and friends of the church.
Every seat was occupied and a number of persons
were obliged to stand. The exercises began by sing-
ing hymn No. 865 of the Methodist Hymnal: “ Great
King of glory come;” after which Bishop Cyrus D.
Foss offered a fervent and comprehensive prayer con-
cluding with the Lord’s Prayer, in the repetition of
which the congregation united.
After a selection by the choir and announce-
ments by the pastor, Psalm No. 122 was read respon-
sively. Bishop Foss read a part of the fifth chapter
* Abridged from the Lancaster papers.
(1138 )
114 The Opening of the Chapel.
of Matthew. Hymn No. 862 was sung, “ Enter thy
temple, glorious King!” Then the sermon was
preached by Bishop Foss from the words found in
Psalm 87: 2-3.
“The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all
the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken
of thee, O City of God.”
The theme was, God’s love for the Church. He
loves the Church for what it has cost him; for what
it is in the world, and for what it is to be.
After prayer by the Rev. Dr. George E. Reed,
a financial statement was made by the pastor and
contributions solicited. The amount received was
$1,275. The services closed with the singing of the
long metre doxology. The benediction was pro-
nounced by Bishop Foss.
THE AFTERNOON EXERCISES.
The exercises in the afternoon were by the Sun-
day-school and were under the direction of Dr. J. L.
Withrow. Following is the programme, which, in
view of the nearness of Christmas, was given some-
what of the character of a Christmas festival pro-
programme: Singing by the school, “Cheerily
Chime;” recitation, “ Welcome,” Emily Shaub; sing-
ing, “Rejoice and be Joyful;” selections from the
Scripture, Rev. Dr. McConnell; prayer, Rev. C. C.
Clark, Western M. E. Church; responsive reading,
led by Z. T. Hayes; singing, “To Bethlehem has-
ten;” recitation, “Christmas Eve,” Iva Makinson;
The Opening of the Chapel. 115
?
singing, “Child Jesus Comes ;” singing by primary
school; responsive reading, led by Rev. Dr. McCon-
nell; solo, “ A Christmas Day,” Katie Brown; reci-
tation, with singing by class of boys; singing,
“Brightest and Best;”’ recitation, Chester Pryor;
solo, cradle hymn, Mamie Hatz, with piano and
violin accompaniment; singing, “Joy to the World.”
Addresses were delivered by Bishop Foss, Presid-
ing Elder J. H. Hargis, D. D., and Rev. Dr. Reed,
which were listened to with pleasure and profit.
Drs. McConnell and Reed made appeals for con-
tributions to the building fund, which were re-
sponded to quite liberally, the school pledging about
$233.00.
THE EVENING SERVICE.
The greatest throng of the day was at the evening
service, which was opened at 7:15 by the singing of
hymn No. 860. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr.
Reed. “Be Joyful in the Lord,” was sung by the
choir, after which Rev. C. 8. Mervine, of Boehm’s
circuit, read as the lesson the 84th Psalm. After
the singing of a hymn the announcement of services
to be held during the week was made by Rev. Dr.
McConnell. In referring to the presence of the Rev.
Dr. G. E. Reed, President of Dickinson College, he
said this was the third time in the history of the
Methodist church in this city, that a President of
Dickinson College officiated at the first services in
new buildings. The first time was in 1842, when
the Rev. Dr. J. P. Durbin preached at the dedication
116 The Opening of the Chapel.
of the church on Duke street, and the second was in
1849, when the Rev. Dr. J. T. Peck dedicated the
chapel on German street.
Rev. Dr. Reed announced as his text the seventh
chapter of St. Luke, the 5th verse, “For he loveth
our nation and he hath built us a synagogue.”
His theme was the blessings that come to men
through their association with the Church. He
spoke about the centurion who built the synagogue
in Capernaum with his surplus means; of © his
great faith in the Saviour, whom he asked to cure
his servant who was in the very throes of death. He
drew from the narrative the conclusion that in build-
ing the synagogue the Centurion did the best thing
possible for himself and for the whole community.
He did that which met the approval of his conscience,
and parted with some of his wealth for the good of
the community. The rich man may enjoy all the
luxuries obtainable, but he should remember the
great claims God has on him. The great duty of
rich men is to use their capital so that the world
shall be benefited and blessed by it.
At the conclusion of the sermon the collectors re-
sumed the work of soliciting funds for the new build-
ing, and in a short time were able to report contribu-
tions which would make the aggregate of the day’s
offerings $2,000.
The Rev. Dr. McConnell announced that the Young
Peoples’ Association presented the pulpit, reading desk
and three tables, which will be used in the chapel,
The Opening of the Chapel. 117
and the pulpit Bible was presented by Mrs. Margaret
A. Morris. He also stated that a special gift of $200
would be added to the offerings already made, and
that a friend had promised during the day to give
him $1,500 on conditions to be approved by the
trustees, which conditions Dr. McConnell was sure
the trustees would gratefully accept. This would
bring the offerings of the day to $3,700. This was
a most gratifying surprise to the people, who showed
their delight by singing most heartily:
‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”’
The benediction was pronounced by the Rey. Dr.
Reed.
PART IX.
Tue New Cuurcy; its DepIcaTION; SERVICES THE WEEK
Forttowine. June 12 To 19, 1892.
The new church described in The New Hra ; the church and
its furnishing ; the memorial windows; the builder and fur-
nishers ; the building committee ; notices in the daily papers ;
dedicatory services; a great day for the Methodists; the order
of the services; sermon by Bishop Foss; abstract of the ser-
mon; the collection; the afternoon exercises; a surprise to
many; the gift of the Sunday-school; services in the evening ;
illness of the Rev. C. C. McCabe; account of the first church
owned by the Methodists in Lancaster, given by the pastor, by
request; the collection ; presentation by the Ladies’ Aid So-
ciety ; dedication by Bishop Foss; benediction by Presiding
Elder Dr. Hargis.
Services in week following dedication ; sermon by the Rev.
8. H. C. Smith ; sermon by the Rev. J. T. Satchell ; reunion of
pastors and members; sermon by the Rev, J. R. T. Gray,
D. D.; sermon by the Rev. 8. M. Vernon, D. D.; Sunday,
June 19, 1892; large congregations; sermon by the Rey.
Joseph E. Smith, D. D., LL. D.; evening sermon by the pas-
tor ; interesting services ; climax of the purpose of the fathers;
a crown to the labors of Philip Benedict and others.
HE NEW ERA, one of the daily papers of Lan-
caster, in its issue for June 11, 1892, devoted
much of its space to a description of the new church
and the events leading to its erection. From its
columns much of what follows has been transferred :
(118 )
Its Dedication. 119
A GRAND EDIFICE.
DUKE STREET METHODIST CHURCH.
WHAT IS PROBABLY THE HANDSOMEST CHURCH EDIFICE IN
LANCASTER TO BE DEDICATED To-MORROW—DE-
SCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The new edifice of the First Methodist Episcopal
Church, corner of Duke and Walnut streets, is so
far completed that it will be dedicated to the wor-
ship of Almighty God, on to-morrow, Sunday,
June 12th.
THE CHURCH AND ITS FURNISHING.
The church occupies one of the finest sites in the
city of Lancaster, at the northwest corner of Duke
and Walnut streets, and is not only in harmony
with the beautiful surroundings in that locality, but:
_is claimed by many to be the finest building, archi-.
tecturally considered, in the entire city. In style-
the building is a modified Gothic structure, occupy--
ing 60 feet front on Duke street and 136 feet 6.
inches on Walnut street, exclusive of the buttresses,.
tower and steps. The material of the walls is Lan-
easter county blue limestone with Beaver Falls sand~
stone trimmings.
Ascending the front steps on Duke street, or en--
tering through the tower at the corner of Duke and
Walnut streets, the visitor finds himself in a spar-
120 The New Church.
cious and well-lighted vestibule, from which he may
ascend to the gallery, or, by either of the three
doorways, pass into the main audience room. This
is 80 feet 6 inches long and 55 feet 8 inches wide,
while the gallery over the vestibule adds twelve
feet more to the length of space to be filled by the
speaker. The height of the side walls is 21 feet,
while from the floor to the ridge is over 56 feet.
The walls are light buff. All the woodwork is oak,
finished in antique style. The pews are handsomely
cushioned, and the entire interior presents a har-
mony of colors and furnishing. In the rear of the
pulpit is the space for the choir, sufficiently large to
accommodate thirty persons. The organ is to be
placed over the choir, but with the keyboard on the
choir platform, and so placed that the organist may
face the congregation. The front pipes and key-
desk are now in position, but the organ will not be
completed for several weeks.
THE MEMORIAL WINDOWS.
An interesting feature of the new church is the beau-
tiful and expensive glass constituting the windows.
Eight of the side windows are memorial, while the
large front window, probably the largest window in
the county, is also memorial. This is a gift of
the Hon. A. Herr Smith, and his sister, Miss Hliza
E. Smith, in memory of their parents, Jacob and
Elizabeth Smith. The design is unique and is espe-
cially intended to illustrate the gracious invitation
Its Dedication. 121
of the Saviour: “Come unto me all that labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The
side memorial windows present beantiful pictures
of scenes in the life of Christ, or symbolic characters,
and emblems of the Christian faith. The one to the
memory of John B. Good presents the scene of the
Birth of the Christ child, and the Visit of the Shep-
herds. James Potts has a memorial representing
John, the beloved disciple, bearing the consolations
of the Gospel and the comfort of the Holy Sacra-
ment, while James, with staff in hand, with cloak
and hat, silently presents for contemplation the pil-
grim life of the true disciple. Mrs. Eliza M. Black,
and her daughter, Miss Gertrude H. Black, are re-
membered by a picture of Christ praying with His
disciples and saying: “I will not leave you comfort-
less,” and the scene at Emmaus when the disciples
“constrained him, saying, abide with us.” Mr.
William Murray and Mrs. Nancy G. Murray have
fitting remembrance in the symbolic characters, the
Sower and the Reaper, with the mottoes: “ He that
soweth to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life,” and
* Both he that soweth and he that reapeth may re-
joice together.” These windows are placed on the
south side of the church. Those on the north side
are of the same general character. Christian B.
Herr is to be remembered by “The Transfiguration,”
and “Christ blessing little children.” “The Agony
in the Garden,” and “Christ Bearing His Cross” on
the way to the crucifixion are the incidents to be as-
122 The New Church.
sociated with the memory of David B. Hostetter.
The memorial of Mrs. Dr. William Compton is ex-
ceedingly expressive, being a symbolic representa-
tion of Faith and a companion symbol of Hope, and
over these the pelican feeding her young, a symbol
of love, the whole window teaching the sublime les-
son: “The greatest of these is Love.” Last, but not
least, is the memorial of Mrs. Ann Sharp, chosen by
her only a few months before her sudden death. Its
incidents are “The Resurrection of Christ,” and
“The Ascension of Our Lord.”
The gas fixtures are extremely near, having been
especially designed to suit the architecture and fur-
nishing of the church. They are so arranged that
no unpleasant glare will meet the eye of any wor-
shipper, while the one hundred and sixty lights will
be all sufficient for a brilliant illumination.
Much more might be said concerning the appoint-
ments of this very handsome and well arranged
church, but as the programme of services is planned
to cover the entire week, from the 12th to the 19th
instant, all of our readers may have opportunity to
examine for themselves. ,
THE BUILDER AND FURNISHERS.
Mr. John Evans was the contractor for the build-
ing. The stone was obtained in and about Lancaster.
David Harlan was the stone mason ; Israel Mayer the
carpenter; John Best put in the heating apparatus ;
Flinn & Breneman furnished the gas fixtures and fit-
Its Dedication. 123
tings. he glass was obtained through Marshall &
Rengier, as was also the hardware. Carpets were
provided through Metzger & Haughman, while Shaub
& Vondersmith did the sewing, laying and necessary
upholstering. The chairs came from the Andrews
Manufacturing Company, through L. C. Eby, agent.
The pews were made by Albertus Swain, Richmond,
Indiana. The cushions were made by Strawbridge
& Clothier, and the pulpit furniture by B. C. Swan,
of Philadelphia. Mr. A. Guthrie & Son did the
painting, glazing and graining. Great credit is due
to all concerned for the enterprise, taste and skill
which have been shown. Words are inadequate to
praise the Ladies’ Aid Society, the Willing Helpers,
the Young People’s Association, and all who have
contributed to the success of this greatest undertak-
ing of the Methodists in Lancaster county.
THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
The Building Committee under whose supervision
the work on the new church was carried forward was
changed in its membership by the resignation of
some of those who were first appointed on it and. by
the change which occurred in the pastorate of the
church, but only one change occurred since the ap-
pointment of the Rev. J. 8. J. McConnell, D. D., as
itschairman. The members in addition to the pastor
were R. M. Morrow, P. A. Metzger, W. A. Haldy,
8. M. Myers, D. P. Bitner, G. A. Marshall, J. L.
Withrow, L. C. Eby, M. M. Fry and J. H. Selvert.
124 The New Church.
* * * * * * *
On the afternoon of June 13 the New Era again
devoted much space to a report of the dedicatory
services, and so did the Lancaster Intelligencer and
the Examiner. From the first named the following
account is taken, a few slight alterations and addi-
tions being made in the interest of greater accuracy :
A GREAT DAY FOR THE METHODISTS.
THE MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURE AT DUKE AND WALNUT
STREETS DEDICATED—LARGE AUDIENCES PRESENT
AT THE THREE SERVICES.
The beautiful new First M. E. Church, of which
we published an illustration and description on Satur-
day evening, was dedicated on Sunday with appro-
priate and interesting exercises. The several services
of the day drew large congregations. The special
music by the chuir, under the leadership of Dr. J. L.
Withrow, was particularly fine. The space about
the altar was a mass of lovely ferns, palms and
flowers, almost screening from view the choir gallery,
which is immediately in the rear of the pulpit. The
floral decorations were furnished by John W. Bitner
& Co. Notable among the decorations were two
jardinieres, filled with plants growing in dirt which
had been taken from the site of the present church
previous to the commencement of building operations.
The morning service was opened with the singing
Its Dedication. 125
of hymn No. 865, of the Methodist Hymnal, followed
with a prayer by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D. D., LL.
D., the congregation joining in the Lord’s Prayer.
After this the pastor, the Rev. Dr. J. 8. J. McConnell,
made announcement of services to be held during
the day, and the week éollowing.
The choir rendered the selection, ‘* Arise, O Lord,”
and then the congregation participated in responsive
readings, led by the pastor. The New Testament
lesson read by the Bishop began with Romans 8:24.
No. 362, of the Hymnal, was sung. The sermon was
delivered by Bishop Foss. It was a spledid dis-
course, and, while the following abstract cannot do
it justice, it will yet give our readers an insight to
some of the thoughts which were beautifully de-
veloped.
The text was found in Paul’s Epistle to the Ro-
mans 8: 32.—“ He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with
him also freely give us all things.”’ It is one of the
texts which ministers fear to use lest they spoil the
text in their treatment of it. It is in itself'a great
argument, yet simple even to a child’s mind. In
considering the motives God had in delivering up
his son for us, it is necessary to ask to what and for
what purpose did he deliver him. Jesus took upon
himself our nature, and had a human heart, mind
and will. He was really and trulya man. He took
our nature under lowly conditions. For thirty years
he endured the discords of the world, and was a poor
126 The New Church.
man, but not a pauper, for he was a carpenter and
busy builder. By his hard-handed labor he sancti-
fied toil, and made himself the poor man’s friend.
He was a hard working man, but he owned nothing.
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have
nests, but the Son of Man had not where to lay his
head.
He was delivered up to man’s hate and Satan’s
malice. Was despised and hated of men. Though
it is said the common people heard him gladly, they
cried out that he should be crucified. His last days
were made bitter by his enemies; his hands and feet
were nailed to the accursed cross, and his great heart
burst from the anguish within, and was pierced by
the spears of the brutal soldiers from without.
Jesus was God’s Son, and God was a King. How
would a great king of this world act if he saw his
innocent son going to execution, after being tried by
a packed jury before a bribed judge? By ordering
him released, to be sure. But God did not spare
his Son, but instead gave Christ over to his enemies
that we might through him be saved. He rifled
heaven to find its choicest treasure for us. As he
then poured out heaven’s choicest treasure for us,
what will he stop at now. All the gifts we receive
now are but as the wrappings for that unspeakably
rich gift, Jesus. No good gift will be withheld from
those who walk uprightly. Christ’s last appeal on
earth to God was divine mercy for the world, not
because the world deserved it, but because he forgave
its sins against him, and desired salvation for it.
Its Dedication. 127
The eighth chapter of Romans, so full of promises,
is one of the most beautiful parts of the Scriptures;
and this-man, Paul, who wrote it, the speaker hoped
would be among the first of the host above whom
he would see in heaven. The seventh chapter is a
“slough of despond,” and those who were living in it
should leave it and come into the eighth of Romans.
Christians are heirs of all things with Jesus Christ.
The answer to the question of the text means deliv-
erance from sin, and maintenance in the love of
Christ. When our faith is weak, and we are apt to
think we are not Christians because of past neglect
of our duties, when the devil tempts us most, even
reminding us of progress unmade and duties neg-
lected, then we should look to the cross and ery to
God, whom we still love, and the blessings we need
will come to us. As God gives us all things, we
should give him ourselves and our substance.
THE COLLECTION.
At the conclusion of the sermon Mr. R. M. Mor-
row, president of the Board of Trustees, read a finan-
cial statement. This was as follows: Cost, as per
contracts and bills, about $83,000. Paid on account,
$41,061.18; subscriptions, etc., $10,493.20. Total,
$51,554.38. Balance unprovided for, $31,445.62.
Mortgage on ground, $12,000, leaving the amount
now required $19,445.62.
By request of the pastor Mr. Walter A. Haldy,
treasurer, named a number of collectors, who went
128 The New Church.
among the congregation and received the names of
subscribers to the building fund. The total sum
subscribed in the morning was $6,500.
After the collection the doxology was sung and
the benediction was pronounced by Bishop Foss.
THE AFTERNOON SERVICES.
The afternoon exercises partook partly of Chil-
dren’s Day exercises, as this was the second Sunday
in June, and a service of dedication. As an opening
hymn, “Up to Thy Throne” was sung, followed by
an earnest prayer by Rev. C. Lee Gaul, pastor of St.
Paul’s Church. “Hymn to the Trinity” was sung,
after which the school joined in a responsive reading
led by Mr. Z. T. Bayes, the assistant superintend-
ent. After the singing of “ Marching on to the
Kingdom,” Bishop Foss addressed the audience.
He was followed by Dr. Hargis, who spoke very
pleasantly to the school for a few minutes.
The singing of “Come With Rejoicing” was fol-
lowed by the offerings of the Sunday-school. Pre-
paratory to receiving these, however, a part of the
programme which was quite a surprise to many was
observed. The pastor, Dr. McConnell, and the super-
intendent, Dr. J. L. Withrow, on behalf of the
school, presented to the Board of Trustees, through
the president, R. M. Morrow, an elegant communion
table and eight nickel-silver collection plates. Mr.
Morrow responded in a feeling manner and thanked
the school very heartily for the beautiful offerings.
Its Dedication. 129
The school collection was then lifted, the new plates
being used for the first time. After singing “ Meet
in the Morning,” the audience was dismissed with
the benediction by Bishop Foss. It was a most joy-
ous occasion and will long be remembered by every-
one who was present.
In addition to the gifts above named, Mr. Aug.
Rhoads presented a handsome clock, which has been
placed in the prayer-meeting room.
THE DEDICATORY SERVICES.
In the evening the services were opened with sing-
ing by the choir, the selection being “The Earth is
the Lord’s.” After the usual announcement of meet-
ings to be held during the week, the dedicatory ser-
vices as found in the Ritual of the Church were con-
ducted. The call to praise and prayer was made by
the pastor; hymn No. 860 wassung by the choir and
congregation, and was followed by prayer by the Pre-
siding Elder, the Rev. Dr. J. H. Hargis. The first
lesson, Second Chronicles 6: 1, 2, 18-21, 40-42, and
7: 1-4, was read by the pastor, and the second
lesson, Hebrews 10: 19-26, by the Presiding Elder.
Then followed the singing of hymn No. 869, of the
Hymnal. At this point Dr. McConnell announced
that the Rev. Dr. C. C. McCabe was seriously ill in
Chicago. None regretted his absence more than he
did, and he expressed the hope that the Chaplain
would speedily recover and bless the Church by
many years of service. Dr. McConnell stated that he
130 The New Church.
had been requested to give some account of the first
church owned by the Methodists in Lancaster, and,
although he had only a mere outline of notes col-
lected during the past year, reference to them might
be interesting and profitable.
At the conclusion of this part of the service,
Bishop Foss expressed himself as pleased with the
sketch which had been given and its very great ap-
propriateness, and called for subscriptions to be
added to the more than $6,700 subscribed in the
morning and afternoon. About $650 were secured
at this service.
The trustees of the church were called before the
altar by the pastor, and Mr. David E. Long, on be-
half of the Ladies’ Aid Society, in a few brief sen-
tences, presented to the trustees the carpet, pews and
cushions of the church, and the carpet and chairs of
the chapel. These were received by President Mor-
row, on behalf of the trustees. After the responsive
reading of the 122d Psalm the trustees passed the
keys of the new church to Bishop Foss, who re-
ceived them and offered the solemn dedicatory prayer
as contained in the ritual of the Church. The exer-
cises of this memorable day in the history of the
congregation closed with the singing of the doxology,
and the benediction by the Rev. Dr. Hargis.
The aggregate amount of the day’s subscriptions
was about 87,350, which will reduce the debt on the
church to about $24,000. The congregation is to be
congratulated on the fine showing.
Tis Dedication. 131
During the week following the dedication, services
were held each evening as follows:
On Monday evening, which was excessively warm
for the season, the Rev. 8. H. C. Smith, who was
pastor of the church in 1879 and 1880, preached from
the words of the Saviour, Matthew 16:18, “Thou
art Peter; and upon this rock T will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.” The theme presented was three-fold, the divine
foundation of the church; the divine builder of the
church ; and its assured perpetuity.
On Tuesday evening the Rev. J. T. Satchell, who
was pastor in 1883, 1884 and 1885, preached from
the words found in the prayer of Solomon as recorded
in 1 Kings 8:57, “The Lord our God be with us as
he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor
forsake us.” The preacher made a modern applica-
tion of the text, showing the characteristics of the
fathers of the church, and especially of the Methodist
church, insisting that faith and earnest activity in
the cause of God were conditions of the divine
presence.
On Wednesday evening a reunion of pastors and
people was arranged for, invitations having been
sent to all the living pastors, but owing to circum-
stances beyond their control several of them could
not be present. A very tender and affectionate letter
was received from the Rev. James L. Houston and
read at. the reunion. It was written by his daughter
132 The New Church.
at his dictation and might appropriately have been
dated from the very entrance to the Heavenly Ca-
naan. Inashort time thereafter the venerable man
of God passed to his reward.